Saint Philip Howard, a cousin to the monarchs, was baptized into the Catholic faith at Whitehall Palace in London, which then was the main residence of the English monarchs in London from 1530 until 1698 until it was destroyed by fire. The Royal Family were also present at the baptism with Saint Philip being named after his godfather, King Philip II of Spain.
In 1571, when at the tender young age of fourteen, Saint Philip Howard married his stepsister, Anne Dacre. Anne’s mother, Elizabeth Leyburne, was Saint Philip’s father, Thomas Howard’s, third wife. However, during the early married stages, Saint Philip and his wife saw very little of each other but as the time passed, after many years of estrangement they grew to form a strong and affectionate marriage, and had a son, Thomas.
It was on the 1st October, two years earlier in 1569 that Saint Philip’s father, Thomas Howard, was arrested for his interests towards Queen Elizabeth. He was held under the Bill of Attainder and executed in 1572. Because of Thomas Howard previously being attained, he lost his civil rights as these would be nullified: he could no longer own property or pass property to his family by will or testament, but Saint Philip Howard succeeded to his mother's heritage upon the death of his grandfather, and became the Earl of Arundel on 24th February 1580. His wife Anne becoming the Countess of Arundel.
During the reign of Queen Elizabeth I the Catholic Church was under great threat in England, it was illegal to be a Catholic priest, and it was expected that everybody attended the new Anglican Church services. Severe punishments, or heavy fines were given to people for not attending and Catholic Priests and their helpers would be executed after being found guilty of treason. However, Saint Philip Howard and most of his family managed to remain Catholics for the time being.
Many Catholic families, who could, left the country. A number of men and boys would travel to France and Spain to prepare for the priesthood. Saint Philip Howard also attempted to quietly leave England but with him being second cousin to the Queen his attempt was unsuccessful and on the 25th April 1585, Saint Philip Howard was committed to the Tower of London on charges of high treason.
Although the charges of high treason were never proved, Saint Philip Howard was to spend the remaining ten years held in the Tower until his death. His wife Anne gave birth to their only son Thomas, soon after his imprisonment.
As Saint Philip lay dying from dysentery he petitioned Queen Elizabeth and asked permission to see his beloved wife and son. The Queen answered that: "If he will but once attend the Protestant Service, he shall not only see his wife and children, but be restored to his honours and estates with every mark of my royal favour." Saint Philip Howard refused the conditions set before him saying: "Tell Her Majesty, if my religion be the cause for which I suffer, sorry I am that I have but one life to lose."
On the 19th October 1595, at the age of 38, Saint Philip Howard died alone in his cell from the effects of his illness. He was immediately acclaimed a Martyr to the Catholic Church. Saint Philip was buried, without any ceremony, under the floor of St Peter ad Vincula church inside the walls of the Tower of London and his body remained there for twenty-nine years until, in 1624, his cherished widow and son were granted permission by King James I of England to move Saint Philip Howard’s body to the FitzAlan Chapel within the grounds of Arundel Castle, the Howard family home. In 1971, Saint Philip’s tomb was moved to the Catholic Arundel Cathedral where it has now become a site of pilgrimage.
