Mary Tudor (lived 1496-1533) was the daughter of Henry VII of England and Elizabeth of York. Mary, the sister of Henry VIII, was married first to Louis XII of France, and second to Charles Brandon, 1st Duke of Suffolk. Mary Tudor was the grandmother of Lady Jane Grey, who briefly ruled England in 1553.
Mary Tudor (1496-1533), the younger sister of King Henry VIII, played a significant role in the political and dynastic affairs of early 16th-century England. Born to King Henry VII and Elizabeth of York, Mary was considered a valuable asset in the marriage alliances that shaped European politics. In 1514, she was married to the much older King Louis XII of France to secure a political alliance. However, Louis died just a few months later, leaving Mary a young widow.
Following Louis's death, Mary secretly married Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, a close friend of her brother Henry VIII. Their marriage initially angered the king, as it had been carried out without his permission, but he eventually forgave the couple. Mary and Charles had several children and lived mostly away from court life, though they remained influential figures.
Mary was known for her charm, beauty, and strong will. She was close to her brother Henry, though she disagreed with his later policies, especially the break from the Catholic Church. Her life illustrates the limited but powerful role noble women could play in diplomacy and royal affairs during the Tudor era. Mary Tudor died in 1533 and was buried at St. Edmundsbury Cathedral in Suffolk.
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