John Mowbray, 2nd Duke of Norfolk

John de Mowbray, a younger son of the first Duke of Norfolk and Lady Elizabeth Fitzalan, inherited his father’s earldom of Norfolk after his elder brother was executed for rebelling against King Henry IV. Despite being an important political figure, Mowbray was financially constrained until the latter part of his life, as his mother held a third of his estates in dower. His military career, primarily during the Hundred Years’ War, began with the 1415 campaign alongside Henry V, though illness forced his return to England, causing him to miss the Battle of Agincourt. Under Henry VI, he continued to serve as a commander in France and acted as both royal bodyguard and councillor during the king’s dual coronations. Mowbray also participated in Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester’s campaign in Hainaut. His fortunes improved with the death of his mother in 1425, leading to his inheritance and elevation to Duke of Norfolk after a dispute with Richard Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick, over precedence within the English peerage.