Howard of Naworth family

Dacre and Howard of Naworth families The bulk of the Howard estate records relate to former Dacre lands which came to the Howards following the marriage in 1577 of Lord William Howard to Elizabeth Dacre, co-heiress of Thomas, Lord Dacre, of Gilsland, Cumberland, although Lord William only finally gained full possession of his wife's inheritance in 1601 following a long period of litigation with other members of the Dacre family and an attempt by the Crown to claim the estates. By 1607 Lord William had established the family seat at Naworth Castle, situated in the Barony of Gilsland, from which this branch of the Howards derives its family name.

Lord William Howard himself was a member of a family of some significance, being the 3rd son of Thomas, 4th Duke of Norfolk, and, despite his quarrel with the Crown, his fortunes were notably enhanced by the Dacre marriage alliance. Lord William and many of his descendants made their mark both locally and nationally, and in 1661 Lord William's great- grandson Charles Howard was created Earl of Carlisle, a title still held today by his descendants. The eldest son and heir of the Earl of Carlisle is known as Lord Morpeth.

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