I'm a Tudor fanatic, but most of what I've read has been centered on the stories of the Tudor monarchs, and, if it concerned the Howards at all, it was in association with the more scandalous members of the family, like Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard, or Thomas Howard the Younger, the 3rd Duke. But Thomas Howard, 2nd Duke of Norfolk is very much the progenitor of the family, being the first to work to advance them from their relative humble origins through their noble connections. While it did seem unlikely in the political climate, given their initial service to the Yorkists, and Richard III was defeated by Henry VII, Thomas is repeatedly shown through the historical record as making himself a valuable asset as the Tudor dynasty rose, going from imprisonment to weaving his way into the King's good graces. I love how Claiden-Yardley demonstrates what a keen diplomat he was, showing what a triumph his life was, while also delving into the mixed legacy of his descendants, the more infamous Howards. The book is also well-researched and cited, while also never feeling like a slog to get through, with an easy prose style that is easy to engage with.