Lord William Howard - 'Belted Will'
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Elizabeth and "Will" married very young, and for a long period of their early married life they had a turbulent time. During the whole of the reign of Elizabeth, both William Howard and his brother Arundel were continually being subjected to charges of treason; and never receiving any public employment, they were kept in a state of poverty.
When James I. came to the throne the prospects of the family brightened. Lord William then received his appointment as King's Lieutenant and Lord Warden of the Marches, a very responsible position considering at this time the northern shires of England were exposed to continual inroads of border caterans.
He was fearless and rigorous in the discharge of his onerous duties. It was his boast that he would so act as warden that the "rush-bush should guard the cow" and he saw to this by sending his prisoners straight to Carlisle, where as a punishment for their actions, they were sent straight to the hangman.
But Lord William was not entirely ruthless. He was a man of literary culture and a lover of the refined pursuits of leisure and ease. With the courage and promptitude of the soldier he united the courtesy of the scholar; and though he "tamed the wild border" he was no cruel oppressor, but a model of chivalry, at a time when no man was anything if not chivalric. He was succeeded in the estate by his grandson, Sir William Howard, who was in turn succeeded by his second son, Charles.
This Charles was the recipient of many royal favours for services rendered. He was created Baron Dacre of Gillesland, Viscount Howard of Morpeth, and Earl of Carlisle. He was succeeded by his son Edward, the second earl, who died in 1692, and was succeeded by Charles, the third earl.
The ancient castle of Henderskelfe was burned down about this time, and the new building, Castle Howard, was raised on its site. Frederick, the fifth earl, who succeeded in 1758, was a gentleman of literary gifts and high attainments. He is the author of "Tragedies and Poems." and was the guardian of Lord Byron, who dedicated the "Hours of Idleness" to him, though afterwards there was no great cordiality between him and his gifted ward.
