Notable Names-Charles Brandon 

Historians and research vary on the year of Charles Brandon’s birth. Some state it was 1484, other claim it was 1485. Personally, I tend to believe it was 1484 from my own research and readings.

Charles was born to Sir William Brandon and Elizabeth Bruyn. He is remembered in the history books as Henry VIII’s closet friend and on again, off again confidant, depending on the mood of the King.

Charles’s father, William, was killed at the Battle of Bosworth Field (1485) while bearing the standard of the soon-to-be King Henry VII, when Charles was only a year old.

As one of Henry VII’s most trusted advisors, Thomas Brandon introduced the young Charles to court life. He was a serving boy and performed other small, yet significant jobs. It was during this time Charles would strike up a friendship with Prince Henry, a friendship that would continue until Charles died.

It was in 1513 that an appointment with limited power transpired as Charles became Master of the Horse.

The Master of the Horse is the senior officer accountable for the Royal Mews, and the carriages and horses of the Sovereign. The office of Master of the Horse was one of political rank; although present day it is not the political position it was centuries ago.

By 1513 he was made Marshal of the King’s household; master of the horse; a Knight of the Garter; and Viscount Lisle.

Later that year, upon an announcement of betrothal to Elizabeth Grey, he was created Viscount Lisle. Unfortunately, that did not last as when Grey became of age she blatantly refused marriage and the title was rescinded.

Charles also played a part in the King’s French expedition that same year and demonstrated to be, at the very least, a capable and skillful military commander. For his assistance in the expedition, Charles was created Duke of Suffolk the year after the expedition.

Many of the nobility were none too pleased with this. But, as history as shown that if one was a favourite of Henry VIII, The King did not care what anyone said.

Charles would fall out of favour with his friend later. He made the mistake of secretly marrying Henry VIII’s sister Mary. A recent widow as her husband, Louis XII of France died; this was not the wisest of choices for Charles and his friendship with the King. It was not his first marriage either. Between 1503 and 1510, he had two dubious marriages which bore several children. In addition he had a handful of illegitimate children with some of his mistresses.

Financially in trouble, he had to surrender some of his offices including a hefty portion of Mary’s dowry. He did however return to the King’s favour but at a massive cost. Charles continued to as one of Henry VIII’s closest friends and confidants despite their prior hostility to one another. They jousted together and The Duke of Suffolk participated in the politics of the day.

With Cardinal Thomas Wolsey on the rise along with the Boleyn family and Duke of Norfolk; Suffolk’s political power was not as strong as it once had been. In 1529 however, Cardinal Wolsey fell out of the King’s favour, was arrested for treason and died then next year.

The Boleyn family then began their demise as Anne became the second wife of Henry VIII in 1536. Charles though proved his loyalty and continued to have staying power.

Personal issues would plague Suffolk’s life though as his wife Mary died in 1533. He also realised that marrying off his daughters to some disreputable men would cost him financially as well.

He did however continue his place at court and had a good working relationship with His Majesty’s newest advisor, Thomas Cromwell.

His time as a widower did not last long either. In 1533, the same year his wife died, he married Katherine Willoughby a 14-year-old somewhat well off heiress. The marriage assisted in helping him financially.

In 1536 he was part of the suppression of the Pilgrimage of Grace and in the 1540’s the Scottish and French expeditions that took place. He was in attendance at the Privy Council on a regular basis.

Not a man of strong religious faith and rather vague on where he stood on religion made him easier to work with reformists and conservatives in the political realm.

His sudden death in 1545 was shock and major blow to Henry VIII as well as the kingdom. His resolute loyalty to King and country was hard to find in a majority of men at court. Henry VIII lost the man who was like a brother to him.

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Charles was most likely born in period from Jan-Mar in what was then 1484, but I would now be called 1485 because the beginning of the year was moved to Jan. 1st centuries later. Hence the differing opinion over his year of birth.

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