The Scandalous Love Life of Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk
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- Опубликовано: 13 янв 2024
- Join historian Claire Ridgway on a journey through the tumultuous love life of Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk.
Sent to France in 1515 on a royal mission to escort King Henry VIII's sister, Mary, back home, Charles Brandon's life takes unexpected turns filled with passion, secrets, and royal outrage.
From abandoning a pregnant fiancée to clandestine marriages and facing the wrath of Henry VIII, discover the intriguing and controversial love story of this charismatic Tudor nobleman.
Uncover the details of his relationships with his wives Anne, Mary, and Katherine, as we delve into the life of a man whose romantic escapades left an indelible mark on history.
Subscribe, like, and share as we unwrap the captivating tale of Charles Brandon, the Duke of Suffolk.
#CharlesBrandon #TudorLoveAffairs #HistoricalRomance #TudorHistoryYou
can find my books on Amazon at viewauthor.at/claireridgway
A cad but a very opportunistic and clever cad who climbed the social ladder, acquired great wealth and influence, remained in the Kings good graces, kept his head and died peacefully. Quite an achievement in Tudor times!
Yes, he was definitely a talented social climber.
True
I nearly spit out my coffee when you said "Who better to look after Mary? Well... anyone, really." I knew a good deal about the Duke already (though, as usual, I learned a few things) so I thought that was perfect. He was a cad. Not too different from his best friend?
Yes, but I believe he was about ten years older than Prince Henry and acted as his mentor in many of his sporting activities. Hence, we have the bad influence he had upon Prince Henry. In fact, in their personal behaviour towards other people, they are like two peas in a pod. Charles Brandon lacked integrity and decency. He was an opportunist. Yuk!
In this case, "Cad" is being generous! 😮
True.
“Womanizer” is more accurate.
Yes, probably!
Every time they talk about Charles Brandon , Henry Cavil comes to my mind 🙂😂
Maybe you have seen the Disney movie, made many years ago? They romanticised him and had the role played by a dashingly good looking actor, if not Henry Cavill… Mary was played by Glynis Johns.
Right? Which makes this a little easier to understand😂
@@suebursztynski2530, talking about The Tudors from Showtime.
I don't know who had the bigger ego...Henry for thinking Charles wouldn't get involved with Mary or Charles for thinking Henry would be ok with it all...
Good point!
Love Claire throwing shade at 0:33 😅
He was, indeed, an opportunist! Why would women of this period want to involve themselves with someone like this person? What happened to all the children that he brought into the World? Did he support them? Thanks so much!
Contemporary portraits do not depict an extremely attractive man. Taste changes and in the sixteenth century he must have exemplified masculine attractiveness. Mary was enamored with Brandon even before her marriage to the French King. I don't know if it's true or not, but I read that Brandon's son had died before he married Katherine Willoughby and that he was not guilty of "poaching" his son's fiancée. The Tudor period seemed to have more than it share of handsome but opportunistic men. Like Charles Brandon, Thomas Seymour and all of Margaret Tudor's non-royal husbands seem to fall into this category.
I think he must have been witty, charming, and probably handsome for the time, plus he was an important man and close to the king. I'm not sure how much he had to do with his illegitimate children, but he did acknowledge them and they carried his name, so I expect he did do something. They made decent marriages.
Oh, my! I had known that Charles was pretty wild - what a horn dog, to put it mildly - but I had somehow missed a lot of his history before watching this fascinating video, Claire! It was as if he was trying to re-populate England all by himself. What could Henry have been thinking, sending him to be Mary's escort with his history with women?! Thanks very much. Fascinating!
Perhaps the king thought his best friend could be trusted.
@@anneboleynfiles I'm sure that's true, I just wonder why Henry would believe that considering Charles's horrible history with women.
But maybe Henry suspected that what could happen between those two was going to happen and had to put on a huge show of outrage about it, fining them, but not chopping off Charles's head, etc., as was customary when someone made Henry mad.
Perhaps the punishment might have had more to do with them not asking his permission than with the actual elopement.
I agree Charles was quite a cad, however he was no Thomas Seymour. So glad you are back online-we have missed you!!
Thank you! Oh, Thomas Seymour was awful.
🇭🇲 Great video, as always Claire 👏👏 You suggested that Charles Brandon was "a bit of a Cad". Well, I'd suggest
that he was a huge CAD and I could use much more inappropriate language than that, but I won't bring myself so low, as to do that, although I'm sure you (and others) agree.
The Duke of Suffolk does appear to have led a 'charmed' life too, given his 'many' indiscretions and his upsetting of the King - doesn't he? He definitely did lead a "Scandalous Love Life", the CAD of a man that he Was!
I always enjoy your tales from Tudor times, and No One tells them quite as well as you do! Always informative and entertaining. "Thank you" so much Claire
Yep, not so much of the "a bit"!
Goodness! (I know. "Goodness had nothing to do with it!") I never liked the man, but I never realized he was that bad. I had not heard of his early escapades. He is exactly the sort of man I would expect to be the best friend of Henry VIII!
I think it was awful what he did to his fiancée.
@@anneboleynfiles I think if I had to rank his crimes I would put that at the top of the list.
In more modern day parlance, I'd call the dude, I mean Duke, a player. I can see why Henry considered him his bestie and was much more tolerant of the Duke's behavior because they seem to have had a lot in common. Charles Brandon was a very interesting man, to say the least--thank you for the video, Claire!
P.S. I love that the Duke's wife Katherine named her children from her 2nd marriage "Susan" and "Peregrine"!
Definitely a player!
Morals of a jack rabbit that one, but careful not to cross Henry in the extreme.
Yes!
I really like the format of these! They’re funny and short and I’ve always been a sucker for fun facts.
Thank you!
Love your insightful content on the Tudor Court. Thank you so much, Claire.
Thank you!
Thank you for your video, Claire: as always, it's an informative treat! As you well know, Brandon led a charmed life, because his father, a standard-bearer to Henry VII, sacrificed his life at Bosworth to protect Henry Tudor. Brandon grew up with Henry VII (& Mary) & was an accomplished athlete. Nowadays, I think Brandon would be a football star! I LOVE the fact that Mary stole the Mirror of Naples -- a huge French State diamond -- and bribed her brother with it to reduce his anger! What a couple they were....
I’m so happy to be able to hear you teach us about Tudor History again! My near vision is poor and reading is no longer enjoyable so this is a boon for me, Thank you, Claire.
I'm so very sorry to hear about your vision problems, it must be so frustrating for you.
Glad you are back. Brilliant! ❤
A cad indeed, but there must have been something about him that enabled him to secure his position at court, be awarded the the Dukedom and achieve the most important goal of all - survival. Whenever I see the image of Charles (the one with Mary Tudor) I am left wondering what she saw in him. I'm certain she would have been aware of his past behaviour, perhaps it was his valour at the jousting tournaments or his success in the French Campaign that attracted her - or perhaps she simple fell in love. It is interesting he remained faithful to both Mary Tudor and Katherine Willoughby as your past podcasts about these two Tudor women make clear they were no fools - perhaps he knew better than to upset them. Many thanks Claire for this interesting video.
Charles Brandon was the son of Henry VII's standard-bearer from the Battle of Bosworth Field. Charles' father died on the field of battle, interposing between Henry Tudor and his enemies. Charles' father might have been struck down by Richard III himself, who was charging right at Tudor before he, Richard, was cut down by men from Sir William Stanley's camp. His father having sacrificed himself for the new king, Brandon was duly rewarded and brought up at court, where he became ingratiated with Prince Henry. Brandon was older and wiser in the ways of women than Henry - plus, he liked jousting, as did Henry. Charles Brandon was basically the bad influence that boys gravitate to. It was only after he eloped with his sister that Henry VIII bestowed the title of Duke of Suffolk upon Charles Brandon, to give him dignity commensurate with his new position as husband of a princess. I think Mary was likewise beguiled by a rogue in that way in which women like bad boys. He was tall and athletic and, remembering my high school days, this is what attracts young girls.
As Mary was still a teenager when she married Charles, I think you've probably hit the nail on the head. I am about to start 'The Brandon Men' by Sarah Bryson and looking forward to learning a bit more about his character. - Elizabeth Cumming.
@@renshiwu305
Marie Tudor is one of my favorite lady of tudor times. I like to think she devised her marriage to Brandon as a way to escape being forcibly married by Francois 1er or Henry. She wanted to go home and have a normal family life, she seems like such a nice lady.
Thanks Claire!
Oooh! Love this video
Great video Claire. Happy New Year 🎉
Here in the US we’d call that a gold digger and social climber, since financial gains and the “takeover” of titles seemed to be a pattern in Brandon’s “legitimized romantic” relationships.
Yes! He definitely followed the money and land.
Interesting! Thanks!
Me-ouch! said the tomcat Charles. You caught me!
Beautiful profile pic 👌😻
@@Shane-Flanagan Thank you, kind sir!
Great video!
Thank you!
Just finished The Fall of Anne Boleyn: A Countdown!!! I love it so much!! Thank you Claire!!!!
Oh, thank you, I'm so very glad you enjoyed it.
Thank you, Claire! This was a very informative video. I've always been curious about Charles Brandon's love life. More specifically, his marriage to Mary, the fallout and their relationship with Henry VIII.
What a delight to see this. My thanks again!
Thank you!
Thanks.
💯 I have thought so as well.
He should have been in real estate as he seems he'll go to great means to acquire it. The women he treated horribly.....a man after his buddy Henry.
I think his niche would be selling used cars or gold bricks!
Yes, he definitely followed the money and the land.
Thanks Claire for breaking down the tumultuous love life of Charles Brandon !! Interesting so yet despicable!!!
My pleasure!
When I hear of someone who was a bit of a rascal like Charles Brandon and ponder at what people who knew him felt about him, I think of the last two lines in Judith Viorst's poem "The Good Daughter."
I had to look that one up as I didn't know it. Thank you!
Excellent point!
I agree with Shane-Flanagan who sums it up very well🥰
I prefer Disney's The Sword and the Rose version of this subject. Being Disney it is very short on fact, but Glynis Johns is a great Mary Tudor and the film is a delight on the eye. Richard Todd's Brandon is definitely not a cad. LOL
I haven't actually seen it, but I assume it's rather romanticised.
Who did he purchase wardships from? Were they advertised for sale?
Good question, and a good subject for a video!
There was the court of wards, later in Henry VIII's reign, that handled wardships, but I think at this point they were handled by the Crown.
Hear me out: what if Henry knew what he was doing by sending Brandon to France to pick Mary up? He knew his sister wanted to marry him so he pretended to be angry that they'd gotten hitched, when in reality he knew and used it as an opportunity to profit from the marriage?
You may be right.
Hmmmm! Yep I agree!!
I've always had mixed feelings about Charles Brandon. I don't respect him, but can't quite dislike him either.
I can’t imagine Charles telling Henry he married his sister, if indeed he was the one to do it, and good for Mary that took a lot of courage to marry without permission, since she was back on the Royal marriage market and said screw that! 😂
If he looked like Henry Cavill I might take my chances!
Ha! Yes!
Totally agree! He may have been handsome but he was definitely a cad.
And he obviously had an engaging and personable personality.
Yes, and I think he must have been handsome too, for the time.
@@anneboleynfiles Agreed. But clever and/or sharp witted enough to understand Henry VIII.
OMG CLAIRE YOU'RE WEARING MY FAVOURITE PULLOVER I have the same
Good old Primark!
I love the Tudors so much I named my son Brandon Charles after Charles Brandon. He's 17 now and really not that impressed at all!! 😅
Definitely a cad! One thing for sure, it's comparatively safer to retain your fortune as heiress these days (USA at least) than it was way back then. Whew!
I think some gold diggers can be hard to spot though.
I’m going to take a slightly different look at why Henry sent Brandon to escort Mary… perhaps remembering his promise that she could marry where she wished after the French king died, Henry sent Brandon knowing how Mary felt about him and thus played matchmaker which would at least assure Mary married someone he approved of. The only thing he didn’t count on was them marrying before returning to England thus embarrassing the king. He was assured Mary was married to someone he approved of and was still able to use some of her dowry… all while his sister and Brandon got what they wanted… a win-win. Of course that’s complete rubbish but it’s something to ponder 😉
Very opportunistic but he must have had the way with him to enchant so many ladies. I wouldn't have liked him to take charge of a family Ward, that's for sure.
I’ll preface this by saying I don’t know much about Suffolk’s children (other than Catherine Willoughby’s sons). But I want to think it wasn’t planned for him to take his son’s fiancée in marriage. Maybe the son had been frail like Arthur Tudor is rumored to have been and suspecting an illness was worsening and not wanting to lose out on a lucrative ward, he married her instead? Still kinda yucky she was 14 but I guess times were different 🤢.
Definite CAD!! Henry was daft to have trusted such a rake with his baby sister 😂 but SHE was fantastic 😂😂
Henry the eighth was Bros with this playboy? And it never occurred to him to execute him for marrying his sister like he’d executed all his other friends?
I don't believe he ever executed anyone for marrying without permission, but he did fine people, and people like his niece, Margaret Douglas, and her sweethearts, were imprisoned.
@@anneboleynfiles well, yeah. Henry knew it wasn’t treason by marrying someone your uncle didn’t green light though it is pretty much what royal relatives are expected to do, Margaret had to have known her uncle had a bad reputation for throwing fits
Opportunistic cad??
Yes!
Ya, well, my words for him are more colorful and banned from this platform 😂😅
I am sure we all admire your restraint!
Ha!
If Brandon's sons had survived to adulthood, they may have found themselves in the middle of schemes to put one of them on the throne, especially after the death of Edward VI. No Jane Grey on the throne for 9 days, but maybe an uncle of hers? Just speculating....
He must have been good looking and had a great personality to pull off all those scandalous affairs
Problem is I think of the handsome Henry Caville who played Charles Brandon in 'The Tudors'.......🥰 dammit I'll always have a soft spot for him now ☺️
Interested to hear historians’ opinions on what a successful marriage was. I think people tend to think it was normal for 14 year olds to be married to men 4 times their age back then but I’ve heard apparently it wasn’t that common and happened mainly (as in this case) among nobles. I also think because it’s kind of been normalised in this way people often forget that a child is still a child even in the 1500s and legalised abuse is still abuse. It’s a bit off putting to hear everyone talk about him like a loveable player when he actually sounds like a very dark man (not referring to this video, more the comments or opinions of him in general I’ve heard from others)
He sounds a bit like Henry Cavill himself with young women 😂
I tell you the men in those days could do whatever they wanted. Women could only be so lucky.
I think since he had King Henry’s ear, he used it to his full benefit and knew he could get away with anything, even marrying King Henry’s sister.
I think he thought the king would be ok seeing as he'd mentioned the potential match.
Was he any different than most other Tudor males?
Isn’t he just typical of a young man without property you marry wealthy.
Absolute cad.
He is my 13th ggf.
We won't think less of you. Everyone has relatives we would like to forget.
Interesting! Which of his children do you descend from?
Lady Eleanor Brandon.@@anneboleynfiles
Willoughby is a distant relative of mine and, I think, Sir Andrew Lloyd Weber.
Oh wow! How wonderful to have that link.
@@anneboleynfiles Thanks!
Definitely a cad
Definitely.
What a courtier! The best. Apex. Marry the kings sister without permission? Well met. Of course if it was 10 years later, no doubt he would have been executed😉. He must’ve been something.
He was a cad
He was a git.
Yep!
He was not nice at all
Absolute can, l would say.
So basically Charles Brandon was trash...
Pretty much.
Brandon was almost, well...JUST AS BAD as Thomas Seymour. Gross.
Check out History After Dark. They do a "deceased gits" series you must see. Both are covered/ridiculed appropriately lol
I think Thomas Seymour wins.
@@anneboleynfiles Yes, you are right, but eeecchhh on both of them.