Henry Howard

Earl of Surrey, Norfolk's son

The story so far…

Week 23: The Black Book (Part 2)

Surrey is a young man with a great conceit of himself as handsome, talented and lucky. But his face is lopsided, and he does himself no favours, in having his hair cut like a bowl. Hans Holbein admits he finds him a challenge.

Surrey comes with his father Norfolk to dinner at Lambeth. He scowls at lowborn Cromwell and Cranmer across the table. Norfolk calls him ‘boy’. Cromwell would like to call him something else.

Week 29: The Book of Phantoms (Part 5/5) / Spoils

At Anne’s execution, Cromwell hears Surrey say men ‘have handled her enough’ when the women take Anne’s head. He, Cromwell, tells Norfolk to ‘take your son in charge, and take him away from this place.’

Week 34: Wreckage (II) (Part 1/2)

The long-legged youth notes Cromwell’s new title. ‘It does not change who you are.’

Week 35: Wreckage (II) (Part 2/2)

After Richmond has died, Cromwell finds Surrey at the Palace of St James, claiming the duke’s horses. The boy cries. ‘Cromwell, I wish I were dead… No, I take it back. I wish you were dead.’

Week 36: Augmentation

Gregory goes hunting with the Howards. Surrey insults him in Italian. Surrey pretends to favour the gospel to annoy his father.

Week 42: The Image of the King (Part 2/2) / Broken on the Body

Surrey confronts Edward Seymour and the Cromwells at court. He is appalled about the match between Gregory Cromwell and Bess Seymour. He tells Cromwell, ‘you plan to murder all noblemen. One by one you will cut off our heads till only vile blood is left in England, and then you will have all to rule.’

He draws his blade and injures the servant Mathew. The punishment is amputating his sword hand, but Cromwell begs the king to be merciful. Henry agrees, sending him to be confined at Windsor.

Week 43: Nonsuch

Surrey, ‘so elongated by black that his legs seem to be multiplied like the legs of a great spider.’ He shadows Norfolk as they Howards accompany Cromwell to the king’s chambers. Norfolk instructs him not to speak to the Lord Privy Seal, but the youth cannot help himself. Cromwell, irritated, ‘puts his palm on Surrey’s chest, stops him dead.’

‘And look, I need no blade.’