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Charles Brandon, 1st Duke of Suffolk as played by Henry Cavill

born c. 1484 - died August 22, 1545

Character's backstory:
His father was William Brandon, Henry VII's standard bearer at Bosworth Field in 1485 & was reportedly killed by Richard III himself. His mother died in childbirth and, upon his grandfather's death in 1491, the orphaned boy went to the royal court. This was the custom of the time but since Brandon was not heir to an important title or great wealth, his case was decided more on sentiment. He had a claim on Henry Tudor's affections since his father had died in his service. That demonstration of loyalty at Bosworth meant a great deal to the first Tudor king. Since Charles was just two years older than Henry's first son, Prince Arthur, it is probable that they were playmates. Though seven years older than King Henry VIII, Charles shared his most prominent characteristics - natural athleticism, robust physical health (unlike the delicate Arthur), and a devotion to all sports (wrestling, hunting, tilting and jousting, etc.) During these adolescent years, the two boys laid the foundation for a lifelong friendship. Brandon was perhaps the only person in England who had successfully retained Henry VIII's affection for over 40 turbulent years.

*In season 3 of the series Brandon is shown as doing many of the actions of Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk with regard to the Pilgrimage of the Grace and putting forward Katherine Howard. Norfolk has not appeared since season 1.

Gentility: Third son of Sir William Brandon

Position: Viscount Lisle (1513), Duke of Suffolk, trusted friend of Henry VIII.

Personality type: the bad boy with a magnetic personality.
One of the agents of Margaret of Savoy said he was like a "second king" & advised her to write him a kind letter.

Signature look: dashing

Endearing trait(s): lovable in bed

Annoying trait(s): inconstant

Title(s): Esquire for the Body, Knight for the Body, Master of the Hourse, Knight of the Garter, Viscount Lisle, Duke of Suffolk, Chamberlain of North Wales, Marshal of the King’s Bench, Joint Marshal of the Household, Ranger of the New Forest, Privy Councilor, Marshal of the King’s Army in France, Governor of Tournai, Ambassador to the King of France, Earl Marshal, Lord President of the Council, Chief Justice in Eyre South of the Trent, Lord High Constable, Lord Steward of the Household, Warden of the Marches towards Scotland, Lieutenant on the Borders




Charles Brandon, 1st Duke of Suffolk - The Tudors Wiki



" a person of comely stature, high courage and conformity of disposition to King Henry with whom he became
a great favourite"
[Contemporary description by Dugdale]



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CHARACTER CONNECTIONS

Family members
:

Paternal Grandfather: Sir William Brandon, Marshal of Marshalsea Prison
Paternal Grandmother: Elizabeth Wingfield
Maternal Grandfather: Sir Henry Bruyn
Maternal Grandmother: Elizabeth Darcy
Father: Sir William Brandon (standard-bearer of Henry VII slained by Richard III in person in Bosworth Field)
Mother: Elizabeth Bruyn
Brothers: William, Thomas & Robert

Marriages:
1st: Margaret Mortimer nee Neville - anulled in 1507

2nd: Anne Browne - died in 1511

3rd: Mary Tudor, Queen Dowager of France - died 24 June 1533 *in the series "The Tudors" this character was Princess Margaret Tudor*

4th: Catherine Willoughby (his ward. his son's betrothed & just 15 yrs old) - married September 7, 1534. Catherine was actually half Spanish, the daughter of Maria de Salinas, one of Katherine of Aragon's ladies in waiting who came over from Spain with her for her first marriage to Prince Arthur, Henry's brother.*in the series, this character is called Catherine Brooke see Catherine Brandon's profile
Children:
with Anne Browne
Anne Brandon
Mary Brandon

with Mary Tudor (Princess Margaret Tudor in the series)
Henry Brandon
Lady Frances Brandon
Lady Eleanor Brandon

with Catherine Willoughby (Catherine Brandon nee Brooke in the series)
Henry Brandon
Charles Brandon


Romance(s): Mary Tudor, Elizabeth Grey (was contracted to marry her, she refused when she came of age)


Friends:
King Henry VIII
William Compton
Anthony Knivert



Enemies:
Cardinal Thomas Wolsey
Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk


UNFORGETTABLE CHARACTER QUOTES


  • "We're Married. She and me were married. You have to tell the King"
  • "You know me, I don't always think"
  • "You're drunk and you are foolish. Henry will forgive us; we just wounded his vanity".
  • " With all my heart, with all my soul, with every ounce of my being. My King, my Sovereign, my dreaded Lord: I beg you to forgive your miserable servant; your humble, worthless, thoughtless servant, who deserves so little but by your bounty and grace has been given so much."
  • "And tell me will you like it when an old man makes love to you?"



DEFINING EPISODES | MEMORABLE SCENES

  • Easily, the scene where the Duke of Buckingham walks in on Brandon and the Duke's daughter. Brandon makes being bad look very, very good.
  • The dance between Margaret and Brandon in Portugal when Margaret tells Charles that he loves her.
  • When he proposes to Margaret out of the blue.



For more on Charles Brandon - click links below


to add pics to this slideshow, go to "photos" on top bar and "albums" and "HC as Charles Brandon" profile album


PHOTOS and PAINTINGS


Henry Cavill as Brandon arriving on the set of Season 4
Season 4
Charles Brandon,1st Duke of Suffolk
Charles Brandon
from his wedding portrait with Mary Tudor

Charles Brandon as played by Henry Cavill
Season 3


Charles Brandon - Season 2 Photo Gallery - The Tudors Wiki
Season 2
Charles & Catherine
with his wife Catherine Brandon
Brandon
wearing the robes of Nobility
Charles Brandon as played by Henry Cavill
Season 1


Charles Brandon, 1st Duke of Suffolk - The Tudors Wiki
Centre - Wedding portrait of Charles Brandon
& Princess Mary (Tudor)


The Brandons
with his wife Princess Margaret Tudor
For more on Charles Brandon - click links below






See also: The Tudors Cast | The Tudors Episode Guide