Catherine was born at Charlton by Malmesbury, Wiltshire, England. Her first husband was Robert Rich, 2nd Baron Rich, son of Richard Rich, 1st Baron Rich.

She became the Countess of Suffolk when she married Thomas Howard, 1st Earl of Suffolk. He fathered all the children. She died September 12, 1638 in Aldenham, Hertfordshire and buried at Saffron Walden, Essex.

She had smallpox in 1619 "which spoiled that good face of hers, which had brought to other much misery and to herself greatness which ended with much unhappiness".

Theophilis was born August 13, 1584 and became the 2nd Earl of Suffolk. Thomas became the 1st Earl of Berkshire. Charles, Robert and William were knighted. Edward was made a Baron. Frances, born May 31, 1590, first married Robert Devereux, 3rd Earl of Essex. It ended in divorce. She, then, married Robert Carr, Earl of Somerset, thus becoming the Countess of Somerset. Catherine married William Knollys, 1st Earl of Banbury (c1544-1632), December 23, 1605. She was his 2nd wife

National Archives (UK)
Reference: 88/1/84-87
Four deeds relating to the marriage settlement between Thomas Lord Howard and Katherine Riche, d. of Sir Henry Knyvett. Sir Henry conveys to Lord Howard's Trustees his lands of Charlton, Brokenborough, Hankerton, Brinkworth and Burton Hill, (1580-1581)