Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, died on August 22, 1545. He was a close friend of King Henry VIII and the husband of Henry’s sister, Mary Tudor.
Charles Brandon’s life was marked by his close relationship with King Henry VIII, whom he met as a young man. They shared a love for sports, especially jousting, and this camaraderie led to a lifelong friendship. Brandon’s influence at court grew, and he became one of the king’s most trusted confidants.
In 1515, Brandon secretly married Mary Tudor, the king’s sister, who was the widow of Louis XII of France. Despite the potential for royal anger, Henry VIII forgave the couple, primarily due to his affection for both his sister and Brandon. The marriage strengthened Brandon’s position at court and in the nobility.
Throughout his life, Brandon held various titles and positions, including Master of the Horse and Lord President of the Council. He was also involved in military campaigns, such as the suppression of the uprising in Lincolnshire known as the Lincolnshire Rebellion in 1536, which was part of the larger series of events known as the Pilgrimage of Grace.
Brandon’s final years were spent continuing his service to the king. He participated in the English invasion of France in 1544, which was part of the Italian Wars that pitted Francis I of France against Henry VIII and Emperor Charles V. However, his health began to decline, and he died in 1545 at the age of 61. He was buried at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle.
Charles Brandon’s legacy includes his children, through whom he is an ancestor of several notable figures in British history, including Lady Jane Grey and the Dukes of Hamilton and Suffolk. His life was also dramatized in various works of fiction, including the television series “The Tudors,” where he is portrayed as a prominent character.