General Notes

1st wife Margaret Neville
2nd wife Queen Mary Tudor
His sister, Anne Brandon married Sir Gawen Carew. His uncl
e married Mrs. Katherine Zouche Carew, widow of John Care
w of Haccombe, Devonshire, England.
From Charles Brandon and Princess Mary Tudor.
"Charles Brandon, duke of Suffolk, was Henry VIII's closes
t friend. Brandon's father was Henry VII's standard-beare
r at the Battle of Bosworth Field, and died defending the f
uture king. Henry VII repaid his loyalty by educating youn
g Charles with his own children, and from the beginning Cha
rles and the future Henry VIII were devoted friends. Howeve
r, their friendship was sorely tested when Brandon secretl
y married Henry's favorite sister, the beautiful Princess M
ary Tudor.", ,
Note: 1ST DUKE OF SUFFOLK
HENRY VIII'S BEST FRIEND
GRANDFATHER OF LADY JANE GREY
GODFATHER TO PRINCE EDWARD (EDWARD VI)
Charles mother died in childbirth. His father was the stand
ard bearer for Henry VII and died fighting for him at the B
attle of Bosworth Field. The grateful king took the orphane
d boy into the royal court and educated him with his own ch
ildren. Charles became the best friend of Henry VIII. In 15
14, Henry made Charles the Duke of Suffolk, a title once he
ld by the Yorkist de la Pole family.
Charles Brandon appears as the Duke of Suffolk in Shakespea
re's play HENRY VIII.
In Act V, Sc i, King Henry is anxious in anticipation of hi
s wife Anne Boleyn's giving birth:
KING HENRY VIII
Charles, I will play no more tonight;
My mind's not on't; you are too hard for me.
SUFFOLK
Sir, I did never win of you before.
KING HENRY VIII
But little, Charles;
Nor shall not, when my fancy's on my play.
Now, Lovell, from the queen what is the news?
LOVELL
I could not personally deliver to her
What you commanded me, but by her woman
I sent your message; who return'd her thanks
In the great'st humbleness, and desired your highness
Most heartily to pray for her.
KING HENRY VIII
What say'st thou, ha?
To pray for her? what, is she crying out?
LOVELL
So said her woman; and that her sufferance made
Almost each pang a death.
KING HENRY VIII
Alas, good lady!
SUFFOLK
God safely quit her of her burthen, and
With gentle travail, to the gladding of
Your highness with an heir!
KING HENRY VIII
'Tis midnight, Charles;
Prithee, to bed; and in thy prayers remember
The estate of my poor queen. Leave me alone;
For I must think of that which company
Would not be friendly to.
SUFFOLK
I wish your highness
A quiet night; and my good mistress will
Remember in my prayers.
KING HENRY VIII
Charles, good night.
Historical figures from Shakespeare's KING HENRY VIII who a
ppear in this database include:
Henry VIII, King of England (1491-1547)
Catherine of Aragon, Queen of England (1485-1536)
Anne Boleyn, Queen of England (c. 1507-1536)
Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk (1443-1524)
Thomas Howard, Earl of Surrey (1473-1554)
Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham (1477-1521)
Charles Brandon, 1st Duke of Suffolk (1484-1545)