 Portrait of Charles Howard ©
Charles Howard, a cousin of Elizabeth I, enjoyed a long career at court. It appears he was a fine looking man, and that even in his old age there was not 'a goodlier man for person in Europe'. He is remembered for his role in the defence of his country against the Spanish Armada, and for his assault on the city of Cadiz.
Early years
In 1563 Howard married Catherine Carey - a favourite of the queen - and in 1569 accompanied his father-in-law on a campaign to crush a rebellion of northern Catholic lords. In 1573 he succeeded to his father's title of Lord Howard of Effingham, and 12 years later was made lord admiral of England, despite having only limited experience at sea.
Thus Howard was in command of Queen Elizabeth's navy when the Spanish Armada sailed to attack Britain in 1588. Although he was not as talented a seaman as his second in command, Sir Francis Drake, his prudent leadership at the helm of his flagship the Ark contributed to the eventual defeat of the Armada. Howard often made the wise decision to defer to his subordinate, and afterwards Drake got a large share of the credit for the victory.
Aftermath of Armada defeat
In the aftermath of the campaign, Howard was very concerned for his men. While Elizabeth wrangled over who should pay them, the mariners starved. They also fell prey to a fatal sickness 'of the nature of typhus', as their commander described it. Howard drew heavily on his own resources to help the men, and wrote pleadingly to the queen on their behalf. She, however, was not keen to pay up, and thousands of sailors died in pitiful circumstances. Howard was so distressed he helped set up a fund known as the 'Chatham Chest', for the relief of seafarers.
Following the Armada's defeat, Howard remained occupied with navy administration. Then, in 1596, he and the Earl of Essex were sent to forestall another Spanish attack, this time with an assault on Cadiz. The attempt was successful, and Howard was created Earl of Nottingham in recognition of his services - an honour that fuelled the resentment of Essex against him. In 1599, at a time of yet further anxiety over Spain, Howard was given the highly exceptional office of lord lieutenant general of England.
Final years
In 1601 the Earl of Essex led an uprising against the government, which Howard helped to suppress, and which led to the rebel earl's execution. Howard remained on good terms with the queen, and when she lay dying it was to him that she named James I (VI of Scotland) as her successor.
During James's reign Howard served on many missions, including a spectacularly stylish peace delegation to Spain in 1605. He died at Haling, in Surrey, after nearly 20 years of decline.
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