Arundel Castle

Succession

The first official family to hold the castle was the d'Albini's (see family crest below). William d'Albini II married Adeliza of Louvain (see second picture below), late King Henry I's second wife, thus gaining Arundel Castle and the land in the Southern Downs. The Castle and land was then passed down through female heir to Richard Fitzalan (see coat of arms below, third picture down). Richard Fitzalan was created the Earl of Arundel in the 1290's. The Fitzlan family played an important role in the religious aspects of the Castle. In 1390, the Fitzalan family had a chapel built on the grounds (the Fitzalan Chapel [see fourth picture below]). This Chapel was not only a religious center, but later to be the burial place of the Dukes of Norfolk. Also, the chapel is a fine example of Gothic architecture with the carved timber roof and the choir stalls. The Fitzalan's held the Castle until 1580 when Henry Fitzalan (see fifth picture below), the 12th Earl, died without a male heir; however, he had a daughter, Mary Fitzalan (see sixth picture below). Mary was married to Thomas Howard (see seventh picture below), thus he inherited Arundel Castle and the lands of Southern Downs. Practically all of the Howard's have all been a part of history in one way or another. The Howard's, for example, held Arundel Castle during the War of the Roses. Also, Thomas Howard, the 2nd Duke of Norfolk, was a war hero. Finally, Thomas Howard, the 4th Duke of Norfolk, was beheaded in 1572 for treason; the Dukedom was forfeited and wasn't restored for nearly one hundred years.