On 22nd August 1545, Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, died — ending the life of one of the most colourful and daring figures of Henry VIII’s reign.

He was the king’s jousting companion, his most loyal friend, and the man bold enough to secretly marry Henry’s sister, Mary Tudor, in Paris… without royal permission.

How did Brandon risk everything, pay a massive price, and still remain the king’s closest ally for nearly four decades — when so many others at court lost their heads?

In this podcast, I explore the extraordinary story of Charles Brandon:
- His rise from the son of a slain Bosworth knight to Duke of Suffolk
- His complicated love life and very risky marriage to Mary Tudor
- His military career in France and role in major Tudor events
- How he outlived Wolsey, Anne Boleyn, Cr ...