Robert Carr, 1st Earl of Somerset, was a politician, and favourite of King James VI and I.
Portrait of James by Nicholas Hilliard, from the period 1603–1609
Portrait of Frances Howard by William Larkin, c. 1615
Henry Howard, 1st Earl of Northampton was an important English aristocrat and courtier. He was suspected throughout his life of being Roman Catholic, and went through periods of royal disfavour, in which his reputation suffered greatly. He was distinguished for learning, artistic culture and his public charities. He built Northumberland House in London and superintended the construction of the fine house of Audley End. He founded and planned several hospitals. Francis Bacon included three of his sayings in his Apophthegms, and chose him as "the learnedest councillor in the kingdom to present to the king his Advancement of Learning." After his death, it was discovered that he had been involved in the murder of Sir Thomas Overbury.
The Somerset House Conference for the 1604 treaty. Northampton sits second from the right. Charles Howard of Effingham, Henry's cousin, is closest to the window in the right row.
Thomas Overbury
Tomb of Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey and his wife, Frances de Vere, Northampton's parents