Earl of Suffolk is a title that has been created four times in the
Peerage of England. The first creation, in tandem with the creation of the title of
Earl of Norfolk, came before 1069 in favour of
Ralph the Staller; but the title was forfeited by his heir,
Ralph de Guader, in 1074. The second creation came in 1337 in favour of
Robert de Ufford; the title became extinct on the death of his son, the second Earl, in 1382. The third creation came in 1385 in favour of
Michael de la Pole. For more information on this creation, see the
Duke of Suffolk (1448 creation). The fourth creation came in 1603.
Lord Thomas Howard was the second son of
Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk, by his second marriage to Margaret, daughter and heiress of the
Thomas Audley, 1st Baron Audley of Walden. Howard was a prominent naval commander and politician and served as
Earl Marshal, as
Lord Chamberlain of the Household and as
Lord High Treasurer. In 1597 he was summoned to Parliament in right of his mother as
Baron Howard de Walden, and in 1603 he was further honoured when he was created
Earl of Suffolk. His second son the Hon.
Thomas Howard was created
Earl of Berkshire in 1626.