12 Days of a Tudor Christmas Giveaway Day 5

Day 5

A Drink Fit For A King.

Day 4 winner is Alex. Please email your shipping address to:
newroyalreviews at yahoo dot com




Once again, your responses were brilliant. Many of you came to the same conclusion that they were good friends who were related by marriage. So, who was Charles Brandon?

Charles Brandon was the son of Sir William Brandon, the standard-bearer of Henry VII, who had died at the hand of Richard III at the Bosworth in 1485. After his father’s death Charles was raised at the court of Henry VIII. Charles was afforded the same education as Arthur and Henry which was a rare occurrence due to the fact Charles had no title. Before Arthur’s death Charles was placed as his companion. After Arthur’s death he was admitted to Prince Henry’s household, once again receiving the same treatment as a Prince of England.

1509 Henry became King of England, his first act was to appoint Charles Esquire of the Body. From there his status rose quickly and soon he found himself being appointed the Duke of Suffolk.

Charles, like Henry excelled in looks, charm and competitive sports. He was the only man who was allowed to beat the King in the sports and often did so especially in the lists. In fact, it was Charles that was jousting against the King when Henry forgot to lower his visor.

Charles was also an accomplished courtier, soldier, and diplomat. Henry often sought his council on most matters both private and State. He had the King’s ear, and he was the only one that was allowed to speak his mind without fear of repercussion. Sure, he may have been banished from court a few times, but nothing lasted longer than a few weeks. Even when he married the King’s sister, Henry wrote that he knew what was going to transpire before he sent Charles to bring Mary home.

Everything the I mentioned shows that Henry and Charles were exceedingly good friends. Although their contemporaries had a different opinion and many of the foreign ambassadors recorded their opinions on this matter. Men in Tudor times were not tall, yet both Henry and Charles were over 6 feet. They were alarmingly alike in looks, build, and demeanor. The Spanish Ambassador recorded that “when viewing the King and Suffolk from the back one was unable to distinguish which was the King and which was Suffolk.” It has also been recorded that Charles was known as ‘Henry’s bastard brother’ because he so resembled the King. Yet, these were not rumors that just started in Henry VIII’s reign, they started long before Henry VII brought Charles into his household.

Charles Brandon was the only person Henry maintained a life-long friendship with. After Charles’ death many believe that the Henry simply gave up. Yes, they were good friends, Charles was related by marriage. But, where they brothers? According to their contemporaries it was possible, yet it remains a mystery we will never know the answer to.

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Today’s Giveaway is:

A Drink Fit For a King includes:

1 eleven ounce Henry VIII mug.
1 2.25 ounce bag of Henry’s Earl Grey Tea


Fine Black Tea
A favorite of royal subjects for centuries, this Earl Gray is a healthy blend of Indian and Ceylon black tea infused with bergamot. Long live the King!

Description of the mug:
The quote on the back reads, "Order gave each thing view." - From Shakespeare's Henry VIII

Steep Show Teas are carefully selected for quality, flavor and superior health benefits. From the art that celebrates the beauty of the human form to the intoxicating aroma and textures, we give you a tea experience that indulges body, mind and spirit.


My thanks to Diane Decillis from Steep Show Teas and Lido Gallery for donating the mug and the tea.

Today’s Rules:

1. Leave a comment with your name and an answer to the question:

Katherine Howard…Did she really think that she could pull off having an affair or was she just plain crazy?

2. Giveaway is Worldwide.

3. You do not need to leave your email address as the winner will be announced the next day. The winner will also be announced on the right side of the blog under the Royal Winners banner. You have until the 23rd to respond with your shipping address. You may want to subscribe to Royal Reviews via feed burner which is located in left side of the blog so that the winners and new giveaways will be sent directly to your inbox.

4. Followers will receive an extra entry so make sure you let us know if you follow us. You will also receive an extra entry if you post about the giveaway.