Tudor Times is the online repository for all things Tudor and Stewart (1485–1625)

On 18th July 1496, Henry VII entered the 'Holy League', or League of Venice with the Emperor Maximilian, the Sovereigns of Spain, Venice and the Pope, against France. The Holy League was one of a series of alliances that characterised the Italian Wars – an on-off conflict between the Valois and the Hapsburgs for domination of Italy. This particular league was instituted by Pope Alexander VI, who had his own reasons, which were definitely not spiritual, for defeating the armies of Charles VIII of France (shown entering Naples in the picture to the left). Henry VII was not generally in favour of wars abroad, but it was important to his policy to be on good terms with Maximilian and Spain. Read more about the alliances of the 1490s here

On 17th July 1505 Martin Luther, a budding lawyer at the University of Erfurt, took vows as an Augustinian canon, to the fury of his father. Luther had apparently made a vow to St Anne that he would dedicate himself as a monk, if he were saved from a violent storm he was caught in. Luther spent his first years in the monastery searching for salvation. He came close to despair, believing he could not please God by ‘good works’ of prayer and fasting. He was also disillusioned with the corruption of the Catholic Church. He entered the University of Wittenburg, and graduated as a Doctor in Theology. In accordance with academic practice, he published a list of theses for argument. The new technology of printing, and the increasing dissatisfaction with established religion meant that his arguments took Christendom by storm. He was proclaimed a heretic, and banished from the lands of the Holy Roman Empire, although he never actually left. Luther translated the Bible into German in 1534 and continued to publish works of theology and polemic against the Pope, the Anabaptists and Jews. He had lit a fire that could not be extinguished.

On 16th July 1517 Mary, the French Queen, gave birth to the second of her four children by her second husband, Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk. The little girl was named Frances.

Frances was married at the age of sixteen, to her second cousin, Henry Grey, Marquis of Dorset, by whom she had three daughters - Jane, Katherine and Mary. Frances, although she seems to have been close to her cousin Mary, later Mary I, as evidenced by records of them playing bowls and cards together, and giving and receiving gifts, followed her husband into religious reform.

After the premature deaths of Frances’ own brothers and half-brothers, the title of Duke of Suffolk, which reverted to the Crown, was re-granted to Frances’ husband. In 1553, Frances’ daughter, Lady Jane Grey, was proclaimed Queen – an event that led to disaster for the whole family. Frances was forgiven by Mary, but her husband and Jane were executed.

Frances made a second marriage to a man of much lower rank – more on that here.