Henry Howard, 1st Earl of Northampton (1540-1614), Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports

Sitter associated with 5 portraits
A Roman Catholic intriguer during the reigns of Elizabeth I and James I of England, and had a reputation for treachery. He was the second son of the poet Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, and the younger brother of Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk. After the discovery of his brother's plot to wed Mary, Queen of Scots, he was arrested more than once on suspicion of harbouring treasonable intentions. At the end of Elizabeth I's reign, Howard actively courted the favour of James VI. On James's accession, Howard became one of his favourites. He was made a privy councillor in 1603, and the following year was made Earl of Northampton and Baron Howard of Marnhull.