Francis Bryan
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Sir Francis Bryan as played by Alan Van Sprang
Soldier, Sailor, Poet, Translator, Diplomat
UNFORGETTABLE CHARACTER QUOTES
DEFINING EPISODES | MEMORABLE SCENES
PHOTOS
Soldier, Sailor, Poet, Translator, Diplomat
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born c. 1490 - died February 2, 1550 Character's backstory: Came to court at a young age but was removed due to Cardinal Thomas Wolsey's influence. He returned in 1528 as a member of the Privy chamber probably due in part to his cousin Anne Boleyn. From then on he was highly influential, becoming one of the king's most favoured companions,and a leading member of the faction who wished to break Wolsey's grip on power. In 1536, he joined forces with Sir Thomas Cromwell to bring about his cousin Anne's downfall. After her death, he became Chief Gentleman of the Privy chamber,but was removed from this post in 1539 when Cromwell turned against his former allies. Sir Francis returned to favour following Cromwell's demise, becoming Vice Admiral of the Fleet. Gentility: knighted courtier Position: 1513 - his first official appointment as captain of the Margaret Bonaventure, a ship in the retinue of Sir Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk 1516 - the king's cupbearer 1518 - acting as 'master of the Toyles,' and storing Greenwich Park with 'quick deer.' 1522 - knighted for his courage when he served in Brittainy 1523 - sheriff of Essex and Hertfordshire 1527 - accompanied Wolsey to Calais 1528 - sent to Rome by Henry to obtain the papal sanction for his divorce 1531 - Ambassador to France 1533 - 35 - involved in negotiations with the Pope 15 May 1536 - undertook the office of conveying the condemnation of his cousin Anne Boleyn to Jane Seymour 15 Oct 1537 - played a prominent part at the christening of Prince Edward Tudor December 1539 he was one of the king's household deputed to meet Anne of Cleves near Calais on her way to England - Chief Gentleman of the Privy Chamber under King Henry VIII - Lord Chief Justice of Ireland and Vice Admiral of the fleet under King Edward VI Personality type: an infamous rake and libertine. Bryan had a reputation as a poet of almost the same calibre as his friends. He was also a man who, according to the abbot of Woburn, dared to speak his mind to the King; on foreign missions he could on occasion be equally outspoken, if not arrogant. Roger Ascham, who presumably knew him well, described his youthful personality as being maintained even when ‘spent by years’. Signature look: eye patch, lost an eye in a joust in 1526. There are no paintings of him because of this. He was noted for his rich apparel and a chain of great worth and strange fashion. Endearing trait(s): distinguished diplomat, soldier, sailor, writer & poet. He had a great talent for languages. Annoying trait(s): morally flexible to whatever the King wishes, which is why he survives to die from natural causes, decided to turn on his first cousin Anne Boleyn and help Thomas Cromwell dispose of her
| ' Bryan ... who knows how great a grace In writing is to counsel man the right. To thee ... that trots still up and down And never rests, but running day and night From realm to realm, from city, street & town, Why dost thou wear thy body to the bones? ' ~ Thomas Wyatt '...sacred Bryan (whom the Muses kept, And in his cradle rockt him while he slept)' ~ Drayton ' The Vicar of Hell' *He calls himself "The Black Pope" in the series
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CHARACTER CONNECTIONSFamily members and kin: A first cousin of Anne Boleyn's through their grandmother Elizabeth Tilney, he was also related to Jane Seymour Father: Sir Thomas Bryan Mother: Lady Margaret Bryan, nee Bourchier (Lady Governess to Henry VIII's children) Sister: Margaret Bryan Sister: Elizabeth Bryan (wife of Nicolas Carew) First marriage: Phillipa Spice (daughter of Sir Humphrey Spice) Son: Edmund Bryan Second marriage: Joan Fitzgerald, Countess of Desmond Son: Sir Francis Bryan Daughter: Elizabeth Bryan Mistresses: * in the series, fictional character Lady Ursula Misseldon & a fictional romance with Anne Stanhope, Edward Seymour's wife Friends: King Henry VIII Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex Enemies: |
UNFORGETTABLE CHARACTER QUOTES
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DEFINING EPISODES | MEMORABLE SCENES
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PHOTOS
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