DOUGLAS HOWARD

KEY EVENTS

​

Dec 1541-Feb 1542 - Parents William Howard and Margaret Gamage, along with other Howard family members, sent to the Tower of London. On 22 Dec 1541 were arraigned on charges of misprision, accused of knowledge of Queen Katherine Howard's adultery. Whilst initially sentenced to life imprisonment and lose of property, parents were later pardoned and released.

c.1542-43 - Birth of DOUGLAS HOWARD, eldest daughter of William Howard and his second wife Margaret Gamage. 

19 Mar 1551 - Father William Howard granted manor of Effingham as reward for supporting JOHN DUDLEY, recently appointed Lord President of Regency Council. 

Oct 1552 - Father William Howard appointed to the Privy Council, and appointed as Lord Deputy and Governor of Calais.  

11 Mar 1554 - Father William Howard elevated to peerage, as 1st Baron of Effingham by MARY I. 

Jan 1559 - .DOUGLAS HOWARD and sister Mary Howard join ELIZABETH I's household as two of six unmarried Maids of Honour. Mother Mary Gamage appointed as Lady of the Privy Chamber.

27 Oct 1560 - DOUGLAS HOWARD's first marriage to John Sheffield, 2nd Baron Sheffield; leaves court.

26 Sep 1561 - Baptism of daughter Elizabeth Sheffield; ELIZABETH I nominated as one of godmothers.

07 Dec 1565 - Birth of son Edward Sheffield (later 1st Earl of Mulgrave, 3rd Baron Sheffield) at Oxford.

10 Dec 1568 - Death of husband John Sheffield, aged 30, of ill health; rejoins ELIZABETH I's household. 

Jan 1573 - Death of father William Howard at Hampton Court Palace on 12 Jan 1573; was later buried at Reigate, Surrey on 23 Jan 1573. 

May 1573 - Disputed secret marriage of DOUGLAS HOWARD to ROBERT DUDLEY at Esher, Surrey. 

04 Aug 1574 - Birth of son Robert Dudley - 'Robin Sheffield' - at Richmond Palace/'Sheen'. Father, ROBERT DUDLEY acknowledges his paternity. 

19 Jan 1578 - Younger sister Martha Howard sent to the Tower of London after giving birth to illegitimate child by George Bourchier. Both were released from the Tower on 08 Jun 1578, and married later in the year. 

29 Nov 1579 - Secret marriage of DOUGLAS HOWARD to Edward Stafford, son of William Stafford, at Blackfriars, London. Retains title of 'Lady Sheffield'. 

18 May 1581 - Death of mother Margaret Gamage; is buried at St Mary Magdalene Church, Reigate, Surrey.

Sep 1583 -Apr 1589 - Husband Sir Edward Stafford is appointed as Ambassador to France; DOUGLAS HOWARD accompanies husband to Paris, becoming prominent figure in French Royal Court and close friend with Catherine de' Medici (d.1589). Douglas returns to England earlier, in Aug 1588. 

Sep 1599 - Death of younger sister Katherine Howard; buried on 20 Sep 1599 at St Mary Magdalene Church, Reigate, Surrey, as "the only old Maid of Court". 

Sep 1600 - Death of brother William Howard of Lingfield; died at Croydon on 01 Sep 1600, and buried 02 Sep 1600 at St Mary Magdalene Church, Reigate, Surrey. 

Nov 1600 - Death of daughter Elizabeth Sheffield, Countess of Ormond at Kilkenny Castle, Ireland.

Feb 1604-May 1605 - LETTICE KNOLLYS files bill in Star Chamber against claims by son Robert Dudley/'Robin Sheffield' that parents DOUGLAS HOWARD and ROBERT DUDLEY secretly married in 1574. Star Chamber eventually ruled in favour of Lettice, ruling her marriage valid and legal.

Feb 1605 - Death of husband Edward Stafford; is buried at St Margaret's Church, Westminster on 05 Feb 1605. 

Dec 1608 - Death of DOUGLAS HOWARD at her home in Westminster (?Cannon Row).

08 Dec 1608 - Burial of DOUGLAS HOWARD at St Margaret's Church, Westminster. Had requested to be buried "by my sister Dudley" - younger sister Mary Howard, Lady Dudley had been buried in St Margaret's Church, Westminster following her death in 1600, with a monument erected by her second husband.

​