March 3 - A secret marriage for Mary Tudor and Charles Brandon?

[@catbyte0679]

That was one of my favorite story lines in the Showtime series "The Tudors." And who wouldn't fall in love with Charles Brandon if he looked anything like Henry Cavill, lol.

[@namelia4439]

catbyte 06 - Oh, noooooo kidding, right??!!?!? The man is GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!! Always a shock when I see a portrait of the real Brandon...

[@jobes4525]

Absolutely!

[@sassytbc7923]

I completely agree

[@Toltecgrl]

I’m going to buy the book she mentions about the life of Charles Brandon and I will picture Henry Cavil as I read 😂😂

[@freddiehansen7324]

Who can blame Mary?! Pretty sure Henry VIII would have reneged his promise if there was a new match for Mary, that HE could benefit from. Mary knew her brother well.

[@gidzmobug2323]

Henry would have claimed that no promise was made. Mary and Brandon could have ended up in the Tower for marrying without Henry's consent. They got off with a huge fine.

[@thundahsenshi150]

Katheryne Koelker scumbag Henry for taking his sister’s money though. May his fat crackle in the fires of hell for all the shit he pulled

[@summerdesjardins6808]

I read about Mary Tudor's marriages years ago. Love those Tudors. What intriguing times. Thanks for all the research you do for us.

[@robinpinkham9398]

I always imagined this was a love match! I'm going to continue to believe it because I'm a hopeless romantic!

[@jeannebowes2898]

I am a senior living in Montana , USA. I am enjoying your videos in the midst of a blizzard.

[@Slinkynuts]

Sorry we probably sent it to you. We had 25cm on Wed in Ontario

[@ruthgoebel723]

Jeanne Bowes We’ll be getting it tomorrow here in Pennsylvania. ☹️

[@h.calvert3165]

An Alberta Clipper, maybe? I'm in Toronto, & yes, we have been having a fair bit of snow lately. It's probably our fault. Sorry. 😔 ⛄ 🌨️❄️🌬️ ☃️

[@dianajefferies7088]

Jeanne Bowes I live in Sydney and there is threatened heatwave coming

[@jeannebowes2898]

Ruth Goebel Two sons are in Frederick, MD

[@hollyparkerrx]

I am loving these ‘on this day’ videos!🙋‍♀️

[@bellamamma767]

After a stressful shift, your videos are so relaxing and interesting. I truly enjoy all your videos and want to thank you for earnest research in creating them. I look forward to reading your books! Blessings from The US!

[@SafetySpooon]

I have always been extremely impressed with Princess Mary, because her self-determination was so unusual. It also makes Henry VIII a LOT more interesting: he *agreed* to this otherwise outrageous promise that she asked of him, *&* he LET Brandon go get her! He HAD to know that Brandon would marry her, promise to Henry or no! Henry fined Brandon very heavily, so it was a clever move on his part.

[@Edna2u]

Brandon was not the best guy even for their standards. Henry really didn't want Brandon to get involved with his sister. He did love his little sister and he knew his best mate was a cad

[@ianslass]

Loving my daily dose of "Today...in Tudor History"! You rock the Casbah, Claire! And I bet you thought that "The Clash" were the only ones. ;)

[@jillniemczynski5517]

Wendy LOL! 😂😂😂

[@ianslass]

@@jillniemczynski5517 --- Thanks, Jill! I need to cut back on the coffee... ;)

[@jillniemczynski5517]

@@ianslass Hey don't apologize. Nothing wrong with a good cup of joe! 😋☕ Have a great day! 👍✌💖🙋

[@Ladybug-uf7uh]

Well, Henry made out okay on Mary and Suffolk's marriage, didn't he? What a money grubber: his own sister had to pay him off to get him to sanction her marriage! Ugly... anyway, I wish them joy of each other.

[@amyferebee]

Enjoying your artful scholarship on a regular basis in Norfolk, Virginia USA. Thank you so much! Many of our place names here recall the names of your Tudor characters 😎

[@suem6004]

Very interesting series. Thank you for sharing your expertise

[@amymcelroy3435]

Great video thank you Claire. Could we have more about Henry's sisters? Maybe like the ones you did about Mary Boleyn, that would be great!

[@reythejediladyviajakku6078]

I can’t imagine what Henry thought about his buddy and his little sister getting married. I heard that they had 4 kids. I would love to know what kind of uncle Henry was to them.

[@Edna2u]

Well Henry was a crappy father soooo

[@reythejediladyviajakku6078]

@@Edna2u we can only imagine him as an uncle. You’d think he’d have sent a birthday card once in a while “ to my nephew, James on his birthday. From your awesome uncle “

[@margaretlouise6200]

Boy, did Showtime's "The Tudors" derange that story, as they did with many during the series. Mary became Henry's sister Margaret. She and Charles were so hot for each other that they were spectacularly in flagrante delicto on the ship before she even got to Francis 1, and the old king was probably 95 rather than 50 something. Not to mention that they had "Margaret" smother the old guy with a pillow, night 1, because she was so turned off by his age. The Tudor's Henry was also 20 years younger than the real Henry, 200 pounds lighter and far better looking, sporting a buzz cut in the early episodes. A 'rock star king," they said. Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, was played by Henry Cavill, later the chisel-faced Superman. Who wouldn't have gone in flagrante delicto with him asap?

[@Originella]

What many people don't know is, Mary was originally betrothed to King Charles of Spain, back when he was merely the Prince of Castile; however, it was likely the betrothal was broken because of Henry's wanting an alliance with France, and because it would be unlikely that the marriage between Charles of Castile could not be consummated for years to come, or that she couldn't marry him at all, due to the four-year age difference. Henry could have easily reneged on his promise to his sister, and instead entered her into another betrothal to the future Charles the Fifth, as he remained unmarried until 1526, and did not enter a betrothal with King Henry and Queen Catherine's daughter, and his first cousin, Princess Mary (later Bloody Mary) until 1521.

[@baileygr2008]

Charles had been Duke of Burgundy from 1506 onwards, so he was not a mere Infante of Castile.

[@irairod5160]

It sounds to me like they had been "consummating" before there was a marriage...hence the seemingly "premature" fear that she might be pregnant.

[@carolynambrose830]

Good for Mary Tudor, I like that she knew what she wanted & she went for it!

[@h.calvert3165]

Typical Tudor 'tude! 👸

[@shelleygibbons1065]

Love your series need to get the book ,

[@aimee2234]

Learn something new everyday. Thank you, Claire!

[@almontepaolilli4909]

What an interesting story or love and intrigue in the Tudor family.

[@clare5one]

If Mary Tudor had "taken the veil", what would have become of her when Cromwell/HenryVIII dissolved the monasteries? Would they have not touched the Church's properties?

[@vilwarin5635]

I think she could´ve choosen a convent in Fance, to keep her distance from her brother

[@LusiaEyre]

Charles Brandon's character is of dubious quality, so whether he really loved Mary so desperately or if he simply hit a jackpot by attaching young, pretty princess to his own dashing good looks is up for debate. And a younger sister falling in love with her brother's friend is a rom com trope of long standing :) But if they wanted to marry, then forcing Henry's hand was their best bet. There is no way that Henry would keep his word to Mary - if he meant his promise at the time, he probably thought she would be much older and probably a mother of the future French king. And she was still 18, pretty, and his best barging chip; there was probably a list of potential new grooms as soon as it was confirmed she was a widow. So, having a shotgun wedding while still in France and then banking on Henry's affection for them both was the surest way forward. Some of history's later 'secret weddings' did not have equally happy endings...

[@LaPetiteBoulin]

Was Brandon known to be the way media portrays him now? Is it true Mary grew to regret marrying Brandon because he wouldnt be faithful?

[@h.calvert3165]

Hah! If THAT was going to be a problem, she couldn't have married almost ANY man, then or now! 👰

[@anneboleynfiles]

I don't think Brandon was the heroic man he's often portrayed as today, he certainly did not treat the previous women connected with him well.

[@h.calvert3165]

@@anneboleynfiles But most men of that time don't stand up well under modern scrutiny. Times have changed. Sir Thomas More was considered a bit odd by some because he had pronounced himself certain that women, as well as men, actually had souls! This was still under debate! 🙏

[@anneboleynfiles]

@@h.calvert3165 Yes, but Brandon was bad even for the time. He consummated his union with Anne Browne, then abandoned her to marry her aunt, then abandoned her to go back to Anne...Then there was the scandal of him marrying his young ward, who was supposed to marry his son...

[@redcr24]

It's too bad Brandon picked up The King's habits.

[@larryclem4167]

Favorite past time watching these lectures...

[@prettyfar33]

Thank you for ALL your hard work...but it does seem like a labor of love! I do enjoy the cat playing or is it mousing?

[@carolynnr.6409]

Loved the cat running up the stairs (to the right) near 13:16!!!!

[@annalisette5897]

I hope sometime you do a special video on Lady Lisle (spelling?). She keeps turning up over and over and when I have a bit of time I will research her. She sent pets to Anne Boleyn and I think she was mentioned in the Katherine Howard biography I recently read. She was involved over and over and must have lived quite a while but who was she?

[@peachypossum30]

Wow! That’s WAYYY différent to the Tudor series 😂😂

[@rosa-f4865]

It's nice to know that someone married for love and it was risky too for them both .Was Henry Vlll famous ship called after this beloved sister Mary Rose thank you I really enjoy these this day in tutorials xx

[@anneboleynfiles]

It is thought that the Mary Rose was actually named after the Virgin Mary. See maryrose.org/blog/historical/museum-blogger/who-was-mary-rose/

[@rosa-f4865]

@@anneboleynfiles ok thank you I will take a look at the links xx

[@buddasquirrel]

I'm ashamed to say I know so little about Mary Tudor....but this video was very informative. Thank you!!

[@montrelouisebohon-harris7023]

LOVE THIS!! Had Charles Brandon been anyone other than the king's best friend and confidant, he would have been killed. Henry was so angry because they shot down his pride and vanity but he did forgive them.😂😂😂😂 Charles and Henry were so close and it's so ironic that Henry the 8th die. About a year-and-a-half after Charles Brandon died.. it was his closest and dearest Confidant and friend.

[@jeanroughley1126]

The priest who married them must have been very brave or very bribed! A dangerous move to say the least.

[@AshleyLebedev]

Is there any mention or records on if it was a happy marriage? Do you have any insights into further reading on either C Brandon or Mary? Thanks ✨

[@anneboleynfiles]

Steven Gunn's book on Brandon is very good. It seems to have been a happy and successful marriage.

[@michellebaker6302]

They are my great....great-grandparents. Trying to soak up all the info I can! Thanks!

[@AutumnWytch999]

I think "The Tudors" TV show did a version of this situation - I say version because it was Margaret, married to the King of Portugal (I can't imagine these similar plots happened to both Mary and Margaret), and Margaret died of tuberculosis. Is that how Mary died - TB?

[@jolymac]

Margaret was actually married to the King of the Scots - that is where Mary, Queen of Scots, claim to the English throne came from.

[@jamiehaystead8069]

Charles Brandon was my ancestor.

[@vikkifenlon6741]

I've been told that both Anne Boleyn and Katherine Howard were ancestors of mine through a family connection with the Duke's of Norfolk.

[@LivingInChrysalis]

@@vikkifenlon6741 neither could be ancestors, as Anne had no grandchildren by her only child, Elizabeth... and Katharine had no children.

[@cathylibby]

Anne Browne is my 1st cousin 15 times removed.

[@jlyn9047]

Jamie Haystead ...mine too

[@Lyndell-P]

🇦🇺🦘 I'm so pleased that Mary finally got to marry the man she loved, after the death of her husband the King of France. Great to hear ALL of the information surrounding her 'secret' marriage. Thank you Claire 👑🔔👍

[@fidelogos7098]

I read somewhere that when Mary died, neither Charles nor Henry attended her funeral. Since it was a love match between Mary and Charles, and Mary was Henry's favorite sister, I'm wondering why neither attended her funeral. Was that common at the time or had something unfortunate happened between them?

[@leahnorris4876]

🔔🔔🔔 Love the bells!

[@maryannlockwood3961]

Me too!🛎

[@annamcuthbert3993]

very interesting but what was the back ground noise

[@rosemariepataky6185]

Anna Goodwin bells, she acknowledged them

[@jillniemczynski5517]

Claire had once mentioned work being done on their home. That might be what you hear.

[@anneboleynfiles]

Which bit? The bangs are the roof expanding in the sun and our house is always creaking and making noises. And our local bar owner (we have a little bar very near us) likes to turn on the extractor fan as soon as I'm recording lol! Then there's the pets! And the other day I had to keep stopping because people kept knocking on our door!

[@annamcuthbert3993]

@@rosemariepataky6185 no not those was some kind of tapping

[@annamcuthbert3993]

@@anneboleynfiles oh i see xxx

[@CelebratesensualEP]

Just curious, in several of the last videos, there's a hammering or something going on in the background. Just wondering what it is?

[@LoveliestSailor]

Dogs?

[@maryannlockwood3961]

Probably. 🐕🐕

[@jillniemczynski5517]

Claire had once mentioned work being done on their home. That might be what you are hearing

[@WomenOverPhotoProject]

@@jillniemczynski5517 - That must be it because it doesn't sound like dogs to me - more like a nail gun or hammering. Lol.

[@anneboleynfiles]

It's our roof expanding as the sun hits it. Our house is rather noisy, and then the dogs like to go through doors and let them slam behind them too!

[@aliciarichards6634]

My favourite Tudor couple!

[@samwright8599]

I'm going off topic but I taped a programme last night about Henry and his wives? And it was said that Jane Seymore (sp) was the person who brought Mary back to the fold, is this true because I have also seen that he hated her and never really gave her the time of day, this person also said that Anne's head was removed and burnt (in a different programme I watched) Yet you never ever mention this, in fact, she is spoken of being buried, with her head... I'm just after clarification, I read a lot and its all very like someone from The Sun newspaper wrote it... if you get my meaning. Love everything you do and I have several of your books in my amazon basket.

[@anneboleynfiles]

No, it is not accurate to say that Jane brought Mary back into the fold. If anyone deserves to be given credit for that, it's Eustace Chapuys, the imperial ambassador. He feared for Mary's life, so he persuaded her to sign the oath of supremacy and to submit to her father, and she did. Henry VIII was then willing to have her back at court as she had then obeyed him. Jane had nothing to do with it. It was a simple case of Henry not having anything to do with Mary while she was defiant (as he saw it) and then being fine with her when she finally submitted. And Anne's head was definitely not burned, that's a bizarre claim. We know from contemporary accounts that it was taken with her body to the Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula and buried in a chest that was fetched from the Tower armoury, and then buried in the chancel.

[@diannew6066]

This is a different Mary. There were several - Henry VIII's sister is the subject of this video. The Mary that was brought back into the fold was Henry VIII's daughter.

[@samwright8599]

@@anneboleynfiles It's the same presenter with bad facts every time. I switched it off because they were doing Jane. I'm not interested in her. I think I'll avoid this 'historian' in the future

[@lunachick1313]

Was Charles Brandon Married before Mary Queen of France?

[@AliShah-er7iu]

Very informative

[@onemercilessming1342]

These are wonderful and I enjoy them so much. However, while watching, I end up with questions that may not have answers. Why would there be no real, definitive contemporary documentation? For instance, any marriage of the time would have been a Catholic marriage. (Luther's 95 Theses was1517m but it was the 1521 Edict of Worms that the schism began--AFTER the marriage of Mary and Brandon). Even if married "in secret", the priest officiating would have kept records of it. Even today, a Roman Catholic marriage document has three official copies. One is for the couple; one is for the parish (which, if a parish closes, will be sent to either a consolidating parish or the local cathedral archives), and one is for Rome. I know many records were lost over the centuries due to fires and revolutions and wars and other disasters, but all THREE??

[@anneboleynfiles]

I'm not sure what the law was in France, but in England, for example, births, deaths, marriages etc. did not have to be recorded in the parish register until later, which is why we don't know the birth dates of a lot of Tudor people. I haven't seen a record, apart from mention in the sources, of their later more official marriage on 31st March either.

[@onemercilessming1342]

@@anneboleynfiles Thank you.

[@annwilliams6438]

The marriage laws in England at the time (and apparently also in a lot of European countries at the time) were actually purely contractual to stand up as marriages. Only two things needed to happen: the two parties (man and woman only of course) had to agree that they were married, and the marriage had to be consummated. This is why they asked Henry's wife no. 5, Catherine, if she had 'pre-contacted' with one of the young men she had slept with. For inter-state matches, such as Henry and Catherine of Aragon, the contract was about much more than a marriage between two people though. It was about religion (hence getting the blessing of a priest and permission from the Pope for things that may not have been considered Biblically too wholesome such as shacking up with your brother's previous wife); it was about alliances (which is why the monarch was supposed to have the say in who the nobles of his family and country married - to foster good inter-country alliances); and it was to assure that legitimate children took ownership of land.

[@beth7935]

It wasn't compulsory to register births in England until 1837, which is MASSIVELY annoying when researching family history! You mostly need to go by christening dates before then (IF the records survived); though as Claire has said several times, that was usually only a few days after a baby was born, so you're pretty close. And there's no WAY all documents survived- the ones that remain are a fraction of what was written down, even much later than Tudor times.

[@darlenefarmer5921]

Thank you.

[@mariahunter9882]

I wonder if they got married on Valentine's Day?

[@Xele2010uk]

Charles Brandon was awesome!

[@mbsbrown7838]

The 3rd of March is my parents anniversary as well. Interesting topic. I am playing catch up on your videos, was out of town since the 28th. Thank you for your videos, they are very interesting.

[@jobes4525]

Suffolk's portrait wasn't as handsome as the lovely Henry Cavill who plays him in The Tudors. Great video 👍 Thank you Claire.

[@maryh4650]

Love your blouse!

[@CherylGormanAuthor]

Ewww! Poor girl having to marry a 50 + man when she was 18... Another great video!

[@Angel-nu7fm]

Claire, I remember reading that Charles did not attend Mary's funeral - pretty odd considering. Was this true? Had the marriage disintegrated so badly that the husband did not attend his wife's funeral?

[@qiviutqueen5705]

In the Tudors (i say with tongue in cheek) Mary killed her first husband. Any truth in it ? Loving your daily uploads. Thanks for all you do.

[@vikkifenlon6741]

I was remarking on a piece of information given to me some years ago by someone researching my family history; other familial ancestors have been proven correct, which it is neither relevant or necessary to mention.

[@jennifermoran6637]

What I wanna know is; did Mary Tudor kill her husband? The old man she was married off to, as depicted in The Tudors?

[@anneboleynfiles]

No! In "The Tudors", they had her marrying the King of Portugal and they also combined the characters of Mary and Margaret, so it was very inaccurate. But no, there is no suggestion at all that she killed Louis. He was in bad health and had been hit hard by his wife Anne's death too.

[@jennifermoran6637]

The Anne Boleyn Files and Tudor Society - well that’s a bit misleading. Surely they could have gone somewhere closer to the truth than come up with something untrue, but I guess for the entertainment industry - the truth was too boring.

[@Cypresssina]

@@jennifermoran6637 That show doesn't care much for history, which is sad because the history WAS interesting! The lead actress said that it didn't matter because young women weren't interested in history 😒

[@barbaravick5634]

Cypresssina Which lead actress would that be? I'd love to send her a note.

[@Cypresssina]

@@barbaravick5634 The one who plays Mary on Reign. It was years ago, hopefully she's matured since then 😂

[@irenaresman5138]

What was the life of common people at that time?

[@sumaiatabassum00]

Damn....why "The Tudors" distorted so much historical facts? it's shown there that d princess's marriage with d king of Portugal (most probably) but not with d king of France! I m feeling like betrayed!!

[@vanessawyndham8791]

The Tudors tv series was historically inaccurate in many instances.

[@viholiday8017]

Random question, what is your core demographic? Im a 17 year old.

[@poutygorilla2698]

I'm 69 😃

[@allybangel]

31 here :)

[@anneboleynfiles]

I'm not entirely sure.

[@clareb8015]

I'm 38.

[@dante2davinci78]

I'm a 39 year old female in the U.S. who was a history major in university, if that helps. 😊

[@janiceballantyne4216]

So watching the Tudors ??? So it wasn't Margeret that charles Brandon married

[@debbiemartin8422]

Mary Tudor never married Charles Brandon.

[@anneboleynfiles]

Yes, she did. They were married from 1515 to her death in 1533. Mary Tudor was the daughter of Henry VII and sister of Henry VIII. Perhaps you're thinking of Mary I?

[@julieblackstock8650]

I am going to visit her grave , in Bury St Edmunds when I go there in May

[@theodoreperkoski1951]

Yes but if the history goes the way it eventually did, he would have gotten it back

[@joannedavis1991]

Do we know Mary died of?

[@anneboleynfiles]

No, but she had complained of a pain in her side.

[@--enyo--]

5:55 It could just meant they slept together before Saturday the 3rd, not necessarily married.

[@Edna2u]

Back then it would have ruined Mary's honor to have slept together out of wedlock. He would not have written it down unless they were actually married

[@jillniemczynski5517]

I can't help but think of The Tudors, & the story of Margaret, who married the king of Portugal. I know it's fiction, but it was a very funny part of the series. The fact that she was forced to marry that sickly, old, ugly man! I laugh every time I watch it! It also is so weird how it reflects Henry & his marriages. How his wives had to endure the same things as he got older. I wonder if the writers did that on purpose? Back to real history. Do we know what Mary died of? How old was she? I saw a quick flash of a cat run by! 🐱💨😂

[@anneboleynfiles]

Mary was 37 I think and it is not known what caused her death but there is mention of a complaint in her side.

[@barbaravick5634]

Jill Niemczynski I was angered by so much in that series. And Mary in the nonexistent marriage was right up there. If they're going to call it the Tudors, follow the history. Otherwise call it a fictional name to go with the fictional story.

[@jillniemczynski5517]

@@barbaravick5634 I feel differently. The series was never promoted as being a documentary, or true rendition. It is historical fiction. I enjoyed it as pure entertainment. There are enough educational docs out there to learn the true stories of just about any subject. This series was a chance to sit back, enjoy the beautiful sets, wardrobe & the actors. Nothing wrong with that. I also read a lot. Fiction, biography, true crime, horror, science fiction, a bit of everything. I have a wide variety of interests. This is just my opinion. I mean no offense to anyone. Have a great day.

[@annwilliams6438]

Jill Niemczynski I think the problem is that a LOT of viewers did think it was accurate. What I did like about it though was that it made the politics and emotions understandable to a modern audience. That Henry and Brandon were considered very good looking for the times. That the Tudor wives and daughters were feeling people who were both involved in as well as push about by the events of the times; and just how the court would have had intrigues, in-fighting and changing factions - often due to fairly petty things.

[@GoGreen1977]

@@barbaravick5634 When it comes to actual members of the Tudor family, I think it's ridiculous the script didn't stay closer to history. Don't make one sister completely disappear and have the one you keep marry a King that neither sister married. To skip over that the real Margaret married the King of Scotland and was the grandmother of Mary Queen Scots is a disgrace. How would any sequel to the Tudors explain how the Stuarts took over the English throne?

[@emmabeattie9255]

Does Mary have any living descendants to this day ty xx

[@commanderbow5013]

I think so ye the dukes of Suffolk still have Charles's name

[@barbaraenglish3983]

Love the stories and yet I am not able to tolerate the author’s accent. I do not say this to be cruel.

[@anneboleynfiles]

I can't change my accent. I'm British and that's just the way we speak. I'm glad you are enjoying the history though

[@anneboleynfiles]

I'm half-Welsh so could try a Welsh accent, but I'm not very good at it.

[@irairod5160]

Why do you say it, then? Would you appreciate someone making such a comment about the way *you* speak?

[@larryclem4167]

@@anneboleynfiles I'm from Texas and I love to listen to you talk.