Charles Brandon, 1st Duke of Suffolk

Henry VIII's brother-in-law and leading courtier throughout his reign, Charles Brandon, 1st Duke of Suffolk. William Brandon, his father, lost his life in 1485 while defending Henry Tudor (later King Henry VII). The only member of Henry VIII's company who could compete with Henry VIII in a game of skill was young Brandon, a big, athletic guy. In the 1513 expedition against France, he shown his own bravery (for which he was awarded a viscountcy), but when he was later given military positions (1523 and 1542-44), he merely showed stupidity.

Henry appointed Brandon Duke of Suffolk in February 1514. Suffolk was despatched to Paris early the next year to facilitate a union between Henry's sister Mary and King Francis I of France; nevertheless, Suffolk wed Mary himself, risking treason charges. According to Thomas Cardinal Wolsey, Henry's main minister, the duke quickly won back the king's favor. Although he lacked the traits of a leader, Suffolk still assisted in the overthrow of Wolsey in 1529, and for a number of years afterward he seemed to be among the influential members of the king's council. He rejoiced at Anne Boleyn's death. Following the death of King Edward VI in 1553, Lady Jane Grey, a descendant of Suffolk, served as the titular monarch of England for nine days.