Lady Frances Brandon

Lady Frances Brandon (July 16, 1517 – November 20, 1559) was the second child and eldest daughter of Charles Brandon, 1st Duke of Suffolk and Mary Tudor, former queen consort of France. She was a younger sister of Henry Brandon, 1st Earl of Lincoln and an older sister of Lady Eleanor Brandon.

Early life and first marriage

Frances spend her childhood in the care of her mother. She was also close to her aunt-by-marriage Catherine of Aragon, first queen consort of Henry VIII. She was a childhood friend of her first cousin Mary Tudor (later Mary I of England). Mary was opposed to the annulment of the marriage of Henry VIII and Catherine in 1533. She never accepted Anne Boleyn as a legitimate wife or queen. Frances also considered Anne a usurper but was less vocal about it.

Related Topics:
Catherine of Aragon - Mary I of England - 1533 - Anne Boleyn

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Frances received permission from her maternal uncle Henry VIII to marry Henry Grey, 1st Duke of Suffolk in 1533. They were married in Southwark, London.

Related Topics:
Henry Grey, 1st Duke of Suffolk - Southwark - London

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Her first two pregnancies resulted in the births of a son and daughter who died young. These were followed by three successful births:

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• Lady Jane Grey (October 12?, 1537 – February 12, 1554).
• Lady Catherine Grey (August 1540 – January 26, 1568).
• Lady Mary Grey (1545 – April 20, 1578).

Frances is considered to have been a strong and energetic woman and a domineering wife and mother. She was in her own right a political schemer with a taste for wealth and political influence. Her residence in Bradgate was a minor palace in Tudor style.

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She had high expectations for her daughters and made certain they received equal education to the daughters of Henry VIII, the Princesses Mary and Elizabeth (later Elizabeth I of England). Her daughters were associated with both princesses on relatively equal terms; indeed, the Greys led a more luxurious life than either Princess.

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