Did you know that Mary Queen of Scots had three husbands? Her first husband was Francis II of France, who she married when she was just fifteen years old. After Francis’ death, she married Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley. Darnley was murdered a few months after they were married, and Mary later married James Hepburn, 4th […]
Tudor Relatives
The Tudor relatives profiled here are among the most fascinating figures in English history. The tragic histories of Lady Jane Grey and Mary, queen of Scots, the tangled love lives of Henry VIII's sisters, and the neglected tale of Lady Catherine Grey bring Tudor England to vivid life.
Follow the links on this page to learn more about the Tudor relatives. You can also visit Tudor England: Images to view portraits. Primary Sources includes contemporary chronicles and letters.
- Mary, queen of Scots Catholic heir to Elizabeth I's throne
- Lady Jane Grey The 'Nine Days Queen'
- Princess Mary Tudor queen of France and duchess of Suffolk
- Princess Margaret Tudor queen of Scotland
- Lady Catherine Grey sister of the tragic Jane Grey
Margaret Beaufort
Margaret Beaufort was the mother of Henry VII . She was a descendant of Edward III through John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and his third wife Katherine Swynford. Margaret was betrothed when very young to John de la Pole, but the marriage never took place. Her first husband was Edmund Tudor (half brother of […]
Elizabeth Stafford, Elizabeth Blount & Henry Fitzroy Facts
Elizabeth Stafford born ? daughter of Henry Stafford, duke of Buckingham (led failed revolt against Richard III & was executed for treason) and Catherine Woodville married Thomas Howard, 3rd duke of Norfolk died May 1532 buried in Essex interesting notes: Elizabeth Stafford’s mother, Catherine Woodville, was the niece of Queen Elizabeth Woodville and daughter of […]
Margaret Tudor Queen of Scotland Facts, Biography & Information
Margaret Tudor’s life was in many respects as contrary and tempestuous as that of her granddaughter, Mary queen of Scots. Certainly the parallels between their second marriages are the most obvious and entertaining. Both women married handsome younger earls with powerful fathers who embroiled them in conflict with the notoriously fractious Scottish lords and the […]
Mary Queen of Scots Chronology & Timeline – 1542 to 1587
1542 8 December; Mary Stuart is born at Linlithgow Palace 14 December; James V, King of Scots, Mary’s father, dies at 31 1543 Mary crowned Queen of Scots 1546 Cardinal Beaton is murdered; ascendancy of pro-French party 1547 January; King Henry VIII of England dies March; King Francis I of France dies 10 September; battle […]
Lady Catherine Grey Facts & Information Biography
‘ I have sent you, good sister Catherine, a book, which although it be not outwardly trimmed with gold, yet inwardly it is more worthy than precious stones. It is the book, dear sister, of the laws of the lord: It is His Testament and Last Will, which He bequeathed unto us wretches, which shall […]
Lady Jane Grey – Facts, Biography, Information & Portraits
Jane Grey remains one of the most compelling and tragic figures in Tudor history. She possessed royal blood through her grandmother, Princess Mary Tudor, and this heritage brought her to the scaffold in 1554. Jane had been named heiress to the English throne in her great-uncle Henry VIII‘s will, but only if his son Edward […]
Charles Brandon, duke of Suffolk and Princess Mary Tudor
Charles Brandon, duke of Suffolk, was Henry VIII’s closest friend. Brandon’s father was Henry VII‘s standard-bearer at the Battle of Bosworth Field and died defending the future king. Henry VII repaid his loyalty by educating young Charles with his own children, and from the beginning Charles and the future Henry VIII were devoted friends. But […]
Mary, Queen of Scots: Biography, Facts, Portraits & Information
Mary, queen of Scots was one of the most fascinating and controversial monarchs of 16th century Europe. At one time, she claimed the crowns of four nations – Scotland, France, England and Ireland. Her physical beauty and kind heart were acknowledged even by her enemies. Yet she lacked the political skills to rule successfully in […]