The roll-call of Westminster Abbey (1906) (14804506483)

Identifier: rollcallofwestmi00smit (find matches)
Title: The roll-call of Westminster Abbey
Year: 1906 (1900s)
Authors: Smith, A. Murray, Mrs
Subjects: Westminster Abbey
Publisher: London : Smith, Elder, & Co.
Contributing Library: Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center
Digitizing Sponsor: Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center



Text Appearing Before Image:
lesBrandon, Duke of Suffolk. By his unjust will Henry dis-inherited the descendants of his elder sister Margaret,Queen of Scotland, represented by the Countess of Lennox,in favour of Marys children, and thus, although she onlybelonged to the youngest branch of the royal family,Frances was brought perilously near the throne, and hadjust cause to rue the distinction. Her mother Mary wasfar the most attractive of all the Tudors, for, while possess-ing a fair share of their strength of character, she alsoinherited the sweet nature and charming manners of herown mother, Elizabeth of York, whose attractions had wonthe heart not only of her husband Henry VII. but of hissomewhat austere mother, the venerable Lady Margaret.At the early age of sixteen Mary was forced by her royalbrother to wed the old and decrepit French King, LouisXII., but this unnatural union of youth and age only lasteda few months. Henry rashly chose as the bearer of hismessage of condolence on the French monarchs death an
Text Appearing After Image:
TWO ROYAL DUCHESSES 99 unscrupulous and fascinating courtier, Charles Brandon,Duke of Suffolk. It is said that Mary had flirted with theDuke before her first marriage, and had extorted, as a con-dition of her compliance with her brothers wishes, a royalpromise that she might choose a second husband accordingto her hearts desire. Whatever the truth of this rumourBrandon lost no time now in pressing his suit, and before longhe and the youthful Queen-Dowager were secretly betrothed.So lax, indeed, were the morals of Henrys court at thistime that the fact that Brandon had already married twiceand divorced both wives, one of whom was still living,seemed no impediment to his third marriage, even in Maryseyes, although some doubt, which was afterwards overcomein the royal wifes favour, was thrown at first on the validityof this stolen match. The ceremony took place privatelyin Paris early in March 1515, barely three months afterthe old Kings death, and Henrys wrath blazed out fiercelyon the