Charles Brandon, 1st Duke of Suffolk facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Duke of Suffolk
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Charles Brandon, 1st Duke of Suffolk, wearing the Collar of the Garter, c. 1530
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| Lord President of the Council | |
| In office 1530–1545 |
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| Monarch | Henry VIII |
| Succeeded by | The Lord St John |
| Lord Steward | |
| In office 1541–1544 |
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| Monarch | Henry VIII |
| Preceded by | The Earl of Shrewsbury |
| Succeeded by | The Lord St John |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 1484 |
| Died | 22 August 1545 (aged 60–61) Guildford, Surrey, Kingdom of England |
| Resting place | St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle |
| Spouses | Margaret Neville Anne Browne Mary Tudor, Queen of France Katherine Willoughby |
| Children | Anne Brandon, Baroness Grey of Powys Mary Brandon, Baroness Monteagle Henry Brandon Frances Brandon, Duchess of Suffolk Eleanor Brandon, Countess of Cumberland Henry Brandon, 1st Earl of Lincoln Henry Brandon, 2nd Duke of Suffolk Charles Brandon, 3rd Duke of Suffolk |
| Parents | Sir William Brandon Elizabeth Bruyn |
| Residences | Westhorpe Hall, Suffolk |
| Occupation | Courtier, Military commander |
| Military service | |
| Battles/wars | |
Charles Brandon, 1st Duke of Suffolk, born around 1484 and dying on August 22, 1545, was an important English military leader and a close friend of King Henry VIII. He was also Henry VIII's brother-in-law through his third wife, Mary Tudor, Queen of France, who was Henry's sister. Charles Brandon was known for his bravery and loyalty to the King.
Contents
Life and Career
Charles Brandon was the only surviving son of Sir William Brandon. His father was the flag-bearer for Henry Tudor at the Battle of Bosworth Field. This was the battle where King Richard III was killed. Charles's mother was Elizabeth Bruyn.
Growing Up at Court
Charles Brandon grew up at the court of King Henry VII. He became a very close friend of Henry VIII when Henry became king. People described Brandon as handsome, brave, and very similar in personality to King Henry VIII. Because of this, he became one of the King's favorites.
Brandon held many important jobs in the royal household. In 1513, he became the Master of the Horse, which was a high-ranking position. He also received many valuable lands from the King.
Military Achievements
Charles Brandon was a skilled military leader. He showed great courage during the sieges of Thérouanne and Tournai in France in 1513. People even called him a "second king" because of his influence.
On March 4, 1514, King Henry VIII made him the Duke of Suffolk. At that time, there were only two other dukes in England, making this a very special title.
In 1523, he led English troops in Calais and invaded France. He caused a lot of damage in northern France before his troops returned home for the winter.
Life at Court with Henry VIII
After his secret marriage to Mary Tudor, Charles Brandon lived a quieter life for a few years. However, he was present at the famous Field of the Cloth of Gold in 1520. This was a grand meeting between King Henry VIII and the King of France.
Brandon was made Earl Marshal of England in 1524. This was a very important role in charge of military ceremonies and courts. Later, he gave this job to Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk.
When Thomas Wolsey, a powerful advisor to Henry VIII, lost the King's favor, Brandon's influence grew. He was involved in important tasks for the King, including helping with the changes related to King Henry's marriage to Catherine of Aragon.
Charles Brandon supported King Henry's decision to break away from the Pope and take control of the church in England. He received a large share of lands when the monasteries were closed down.
In 1544, he once again led an English army to invade France. He died in Guildford, Surrey, on August 24, 1545. King Henry VIII paid for his burial at St George's Chapel in Windsor. Charles Brandon was one of the few people who remained a close friend of Henry VIII for almost 40 years.
Family Life
Charles Brandon had four marriages and several children.
First and Second Marriages
Before 1507, Charles Brandon first married Margaret Neville. They did not have any children, and their marriage was later declared invalid.
In 1508, he secretly married Anne Browne, and then they had a public ceremony. With Anne, he had two daughters:
- Lady Anne Brandon (1507–1557)
- Lady Mary Brandon (1510–c. 1542)
Marriage to Mary Tudor
Charles Brandon took part in the celebrations for the marriage of Mary Tudor, King Henry VIII's sister, to Louis XII of France. After King Louis XII died in 1515, Charles was sent to France to bring Princess Mary back to England.
Charles and Mary had been in love before her first marriage. The new French King, Francis I of France, even suspected that Charles intended to marry Mary. Both King Francis and King Henry VIII seemed to support their marriage, but Charles had many enemies at court. Mary worried she might be forced into another political marriage.
King Henry VIII wanted Mary's dowry (money and jewels) from France. He told Charles that he would only agree to the marriage if Charles got these things. Henry also made Charles promise not to propose to Mary. However, once in France, Mary convinced Charles to break his promise.
They secretly married on March 3, 1515, in France, with only ten people present, including King Francis I. Charles then told Thomas Wolsey, who was their friend, about the marriage.
Marrying a royal princess without the King's permission was considered treason. King Henry VIII was furious, and his closest advisors suggested Charles should be imprisoned or even executed. But Henry loved both his sister and Charles, so he spared them. They were fined a large sum of money, which was later reduced.
They then had an open wedding ceremony at Greenwich Hall on May 13, 1515, with King Henry VIII and his court attending.
Charles and Mary lived at Westhorpe Hall and had four children:
- Lord Henry Brandon (1516–1522)
- Lady Frances Brandon (1517–1559), who was the mother of Lady Jane Grey.
- Lady Eleanor Brandon (1519–1547)
- Henry Brandon, 1st Earl of Lincoln (c. 1523–1534)
Fourth Marriage
Mary Tudor died on June 25, 1533. Just a few months later, in September 1533, Charles married his ward, 14-year-old Katherine Willoughby (1519–1580). Katherine was supposed to marry his eldest son, Henry, but Henry was too young. To make sure he didn't lose control of Katherine's lands, Charles married her himself.
With Katherine Willoughby, Charles had two more sons:
- Henry Brandon, 2nd Duke of Suffolk (1535–1551)
- Charles Brandon, 3rd Duke of Suffolk (1537–1551)
Sadly, both of these sons died young from a disease called the sweating sickness on the same day.
Fictional Stories
Charles Brandon and his romance with Mary Tudor have been featured in many books and films:
- The novel When Knighthood Was in Flower by Charles Major tells a fictional version of their love story.
- This book was made into a silent film in 1922, called When Knighthood Was in Flower, where Forrest Stanley played Brandon.
- Richard Todd played Brandon in the 1953 film The Sword and the Rose, which is also about his romance with Mary Tudor.
- The Reluctant Queen by Molly Costain Haycraft is another fictional book about Brandon and Mary Tudor.
- In the TV series The Tudors, Henry Cavill played Charles Brandon. In this show, some parts of his life are changed for drama. For example, he is shown marrying Margaret Tudor instead of Mary Tudor.
- He appears as a character in the novels Mary, Queen of France, The Lady in the Tower and The Shadow of the Pomegranate by Jean Plaidy.
- Charles Brandon is also a character in the famous novels Wolf Hall, Bring Up the Bodies, and The Mirror and the Light by Hilary Mantel.
- Richard Dillane played him in the BBC drama Wolf Hall, based on Mantel's books.
- Brian Blessed played Suffolk in the 1972 film Henry VIII and His Six Wives.
- In the 2019 TV series The Spanish Princess, Jordan Renzo portrays Brandon.
Images for kids
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Arms of Brandon: Barry of ten argent and gules, a lion rampant or ducally crowned per pale of the first and second
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Quartered arms of Charles Brandon, 1st Duke of Suffolk
