Framlingham Castle: The Mowbray Family

 

The Mowbray Family

Ancestors of my grandfather, Donald Smith

Thomas de Mowbray (Born 1366) was created the1^st Duke of Norfolk on 39 September 1397.  His mother being Lady Elizabeth Seagrave, 5^th Baroness Seagrave (b 1338) who married Lord John de Mowbray, 4^th Baron Mowbray. The Mowbrays seem to have used Framlingham Castle as their main seat of power for most of the 15th century. Thomas de Mowbray had a daughter, Isabel Mowbray (b. 1400), who was my direct ancestor.  Thomas was accused of treason which led to his banishment and his land was confiscated in 1398. He was allowed £1000 a year to support himself in exile.  In October 1398, he left for a trip to the Holy Land. On his return trip, he died of pestilence in Venice, Italy on 22 September 1399.  The creation of the dukedom was annulled by Parliament on 6 October 1399.  Reducing his widow's tilte to Countess of Norfolk.

Thomas’ eldest son Sir Thomas Mowbray, (born in 1385), Earl of Norfolk.  Thomas was involved in the Scrope conspiracy in 1405 (a plot to murder King Henry V by Lord Henry Scrope).  Thomas was executed without trial on 8 June 1405.  His brother was his heir.

Sir John de Mowbray was born on 3 August 1390 and succeeded his brother as heir to Framlingham Castle from his great-grandmother's estate.  The title of Duke of Norfolk was restored to him 30 April 1425.  He served as Earl Marshal at the coronation of King Henry VI. In 1432, Sir John Mowbray died, and the castle passed to his son.

Framlingham Castle, Mowbray family seat

Sir John de Mowbray (b, 1415) was the 3^rd Duke of Norfolk and inherited Framlingham Castle.  He was appointed Ambassador to France in 1439.  He served as Earl Marshal at the coronation of King Edward IV in 1461.  Sir John Mowbray died on 6 November 1461.

Sir John Mowbray (b. 1444) succeeded his father as 4^th Duke of Norfolk and to Framlingham Castle and died there on 16 or 17 January 1476. 

His daughter, Lady Anne Mowbray, (b. 1472) was betrothed to Richard, Duke of York, which they became Duke and Duchess of York and Norfolk as children. Lady Anne Mowbray died in 1481, and Richard died in 1483, ending the dukedom of Norfolk.  Anne was co-heir with a cousin, John Howard (b1425), a descendant of her great-grandfather’s sister, Margaret de Mowbray (b 1388-d. 1459).  The castle would again change family hands.