Saints can be anyone, from the poorest servants to kings and queens. This week, “The Saints: Adventures of Faith and Courage” features a saintly Earl in London: Philip Howard, Earl of Arundel.
Born on June 28th, 1557, Howard was the heir to the Duke of Norfolk and baptized Catholic, though he received a Protestant education. His mother died after Philip was born, and his father was Catholic. After the Duke of Norfolk was accused of involvement in a plot to dethrone the Protestant Queen Elizabeth I, he was arrested and executed for treason. Philip studied at St. John’s College in Cambridge and graduated at 17, attending Queen Elizabeth I’s court shortly thereafter; he quickly became a favorite.
To spoil the end of his intriguing story, Philip Howard, Earl of Arundel, was canonized in 1970 as one of the 40 Martyrs of England and Wales. But how did he go from being the Queen’s favorite to being a martyr for his Catholic faith? Find out on Monday, June 10th on thesaintspodcast.com!
