Mary FitzAlan

Who was Mary FitzAlan?

Lady Mary FitzAlan, Duchess of Norfolk was the youngest daughter and child of Henry FitzAlan, 19th Earl of Arundel and his first wife Lady Catherine Grey. Because her only brother had predeceased her, she and her elder sister, Jane FitzAlan were co-heiresses to the earldom of her father. Mary and Jane both received an excellent education. Several of her translations from Greek to Latin have been preserved.

Mary was the first wife of Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk, whom she married in 1555. They had one son, Philip Howard, 20th Earl of Arundel, born the following year. Mary died eight weeks after the birth of Philip at Arundel House. She was buried on 1 September 1557 in St Clement Danes.

Upon the death of her father in 1580, the earldom of Arundel passed to the Duke and Duchess of Norfolk's son, Philip.