The Duke of Norfolk died in his sleep 24 June at his home in Henley-on-Thames,
Oxfordshire, west of London. No cause of death was given.
On the death of his cousin in 1975, Miles Francis Stapleton Fitzalan-Howard
succeeded to England's oldest dukedom, created in 1483 by King Richard III for
John Howard, his loyal supporter in the Wars of the Roses. The dukes of Norfolk
are referred to as the premier dukes—the highest rank of peers—because
their title is the oldest.
Like his predecessors, the 17th duke was earl marshal of England,
one of the Great Officers of State, senior members of the royal household. The
earl marshal, whose position now is largely ceremonial, is responsible for state
ceremonies such as coronations. Genealogists will note that the earl marshal
also heads the College of Arms, which is the authority in England and Wales
on genealogy and heraldry.
The 17th duke served in the army for 30 years and retired as a
major general, having taken several appointments in the Ministry of Defense,
including director of service intelligence in 1966-67. During World War II,
he served in France, North Africa, Sicily and Italy and was awarded the Military
Cross for reconnaissance of mined roads on foot under enemy fire.
He remarked in later years that "anyone can be Duke of Norfolk,
but I'm rather proud of that medal," The Times said in its obituary.
The duke and his wife of more than 50 years, the former Anne Constable-Maxwell,
had two sons and three daughters, including actress Marsha Fitzalan. His elder
son Edward, the Earl of Arundel, succeeds him.
Dick Eastman Online
