# Duke of Norfolk — Henry VIII character guide

> Duke of Norfolk in Henry VIII by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** the Duke of Norfolk, Norfolk One, the Duke of Norfolk, and the Duke of Suffolk, Norfolk, Duke of Suffolk, Suffolk

**First appearance:** 0003-act-i-scene-i

## Snapshot

A great nobleman and sharp-eyed court observer who trades in the splendor of kings and quietly works to bring Cardinal Wolsey down.

## Who they are

Norfolk opens the play describing the Field of the Cloth of Gold with a connoisseur's relish, a duke who measures power in pomp and remembers exactly who stood where. He is Buckingham's ally in the early scenes and, later, one of the lords who helps engineer Wolsey's fall, escorting Katherine when she kneels before the king. His presence keeps the aristocratic faction visible, a reminder that Henry's court is a contest of great houses as much as a marriage drama.

## In the story

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_viii_se/chapters/act-i-scene-i)

Warns Buckingham about Wolsey's power and advises caution.

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_viii_se/chapters/act-i-scene-ii)

Ushers Queen Katherine into the council chamber and confirms the severity of the tax-related unrest.

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_viii_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-ii)

Criticizes Wolsey's influence and the king's conscience, and later is dismissed by the king.

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_viii_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-ii)

Observes Wolsey's strange behavior; participates in accusing Wolsey of ambition.

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_viii_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-ii)

Accuses Wolsey of acting without the king's knowledge in foreign affairs.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_viii_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-i)

Claims the office of earl marshal at the coronation and appears in the procession.

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_viii_se/chapters/act-v-scene-iii)

Sits on the council and questions the wisdom of proceeding against Cranmer after the king's ring is revealed.

### [Scene V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_viii_se/chapters/act-v-scene-v)

Present at the christening, bearing his marshal's staff as part of the ceremonial procession.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_viii_se/characters/duke_of_norfolk
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_viii_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_viii_se/characters