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| “ | So cut off my head, and make me a martyr. The people will always remember it. | „ |
| ~ Thomas Howard displaying his arrogance as he is sentenced to death. |
| “ | I must do nothing by your orders. I am Norfolk! | „ |
| ~ Thomas Howard as he is resisting arrest. |
Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk, also known as simply Norfolk, is the main antagonist of the 1998 historical drama Elizabeth. He is a corrupt, power-hungry nobleman who masterminds a plot to overthrow Queen Elizabeth I of England and seize the throne himself. He is a fictionalized version of the actual historical figure.
He was portrayed by Christopher Eccleston, who also portrayed Raymond Calitri in Gone in 60 Seconds, Malekith the Accursed in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Henry West in 28 Days Later, and Destro in G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra.
Biography[]
After Elizabeth is crowned Queen of England following the deaths of her father Henry VIII and half-sister Mary, Norfolk capitalizes on the new Queen's unpopularity within her own court by forming a plot to overthrow her and rule the country. He draws like-minded fellow noblemen into his inner circle and spreads word throughout the kingdom that Elizabeth is sleeping with one of her courtiers, Robert Dudley, further eroding her popularity with her courtiers and her subjects. He even tries to have her killed by poisoning one of her dresses, although the plan fails when Dudley's mistress puts the dress on and dies while having sex with Dudley.
The Vatican, who hate the idea of England being ruled by the Protestant Elizabeth, sends John Ballard, a priest and assassin, to aid Norfolk's plot. With help from Ballard and French Queen Mary of Guise, Norfolk stages an attempt on Elizabeth's life, while negotiating with Guise to elevate him to the throne in return for his marrying Elizabeth's rival, Mary, Queen of Scots.
The assassination attempt fails, however, and Elizabeth's advisor Francis Walsingham has Ballard tortured until he reveals the mastermind of the plot before having him executed. With Elizabeth's approval, Walsingham has Mary of Guise assassinated, depriving Norfolk of his powerful backer, and then arrests Norfolk and his fellow conspirators. Elizabeth strips him of his title and sentences him to be beheaded. Norfolk defiantly tells Walsingham he will be remembered as a martyr, but Walsingham replies that he will be forgotten after he dies. Norfolk is then beheaded.