Sir Robert Howard

Sir Robert Howard. A prominent Royalist figure of the Restoration era, Sir Robert Howard was a significant Member of Parliament, a prolific dramatist, and a key political ally of the future King James II. His career spanned the tumultuous periods of the English Civil War, the Interregnum, and the reign of Charles II, during which he served in various governmental roles, including Auditor of the Exchequer. His literary output, often produced in collaboration with his brother-in-law John Dryden, contributed to the revival of the English theatre after 1660.

Early life and family

Born in January 1626, he was the sixth son of Thomas Howard, 1st Earl of Berkshire and his wife, Elizabeth Cecil, daughter of William Cecil, 2nd Earl of Exeter. The Howard family was a powerful aristocratic dynasty with deep connections to the Stuart court. During the English Civil War, he fought for the King at the Battle of Cropredy Bridge and was knighted for his loyalty in 1644. Following the Royalist defeat, his estates were sequestered by the Parliamentary authorities, and he endured significant financial hardship throughout the Commonwealth period.

Political career

At the Restoration of Charles II in 1660, Howard’s fortunes revived dramatically. He was elected as a Member of Parliament for Stockbridge and later for Bishop's Castle, aligning himself with the Court party. He held the lucrative post of Auditor of the Exchequer from 1661 until his death, a position that secured his wealth. A staunch supporter of the royal prerogative, he was a leading advocate in the Cavalier Parliament for the Declaration of Indulgence and became a close political associate of James, Duke of York, the future King James II. His political tracts, such as his defense of the succession in *The History of the Reigns of Edward and Richard II*, were part of the fierce debates surrounding the Exclusion Crisis.

Literary works and contributions

Howard was a central figure in the literary world of Restoration London. He wrote several successful comedies and heroic plays, including *The Committee*, a satire on Puritans, and *The Indian Queen*, which he co-wrote with John Dryden. This latter work was famously set to music by Henry Purcell decades later. His literary partnership and subsequent public quarrel with Dryden, particularly over the use of rhyme in drama, was a notable event in the critical debates of the era. He was also a founding member of the Royal Society, reflecting the intellectual interests of the period.

Later life and legacy

Despite his earlier support for James II, Howard accommodated himself to the new regime after the Glorious Revolution of 1688. He retained his seat in the Convention Parliament and his office as Auditor of the Exchequer under William III and Mary II. He died on 3 September 1698. His legacy is that of a quintessential Restoration courtier-politician, whose career exemplified the complex interplay of loyalty, literature, and power. His plays, though less performed today, offer valuable insight into the political and social preoccupations of the late 17th century.

Personal life and relationships

In 1665, Howard married Anne Kingsmill, who later became a noted playwright in her own right with works like *The Conquest of Spain*. The marriage produced several children, including the dramatist James Howard. His sister, Lady Elizabeth Howard, was the wife of the Poet Laureate John Dryden, creating a significant literary and familial alliance. Howard’s life was marked by his deep immersion in the networks of the Restoration court, the Drury Lane theatre scene, and the political factions of Westminster.

Category:1626 births Category:1698 deaths Category:English dramatists and playwrights Category:Members of the Parliament of England Category:Howard family