Charles Brandon, 1st Duke of Suffolk

Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk (c. 1484–1545), was Henry VIII's closest friend and a leading commander. His father died carrying Henry Tudor's standard at Bosworth in 1485, and Brandon was raised at court. He fought at Thérouanne and Tournai in 1513, became Master of the Horse, and was made a duke in March 1514. In 1515 he secretly married Henry's sister Mary Tudor, dowager queen of France, but was forgiven.

In 1523 he led an English army into northern France before withdrawing. He became Earl Marshal in 1524, helped dismiss Wolsey in 1529, led the 1544 invasion of France, and died on 22 August 1545.