Brandon - Tudor Knight
by Tony Riches
Publication Date: December 3rd 2018
Preseli Press
eBook; ASIN: B07L3YGBWJ
Genre: Historical/Tudor/Biographical
BLURB
Handsome, charismatic and a champion jouster, Sir Charles Brandon is the epitome of a Tudor Knight. A favourite of King Henry VIII, Brandon has a secret. He has fallen in love with Henry’s sister, Mary Tudor, the beautiful widowed Queen of France, and risks everything to marry her without the King’s consent.
Brandon becomes Duke of Suffolk, but his loyalty is tested fighting Henry’s wars in France. Mary’s public support for Queen Catherine of Aragon brings Brandon into dangerous conflict with the ambitious Boleyn family and the king’s new right-hand man, Thomas Cromwell.
Torn between duty to his family and loyalty to the king, Brandon faces an impossible decision: can he accept Anne Boleyn as his new queen?
Available on Amazon
EXCERPT
Chapter One of Brandon – Tudor Knight, April 1505:
He stood before the Lord Steward, his left eye swollen and bruised, his nose possibly broken. The cuts on his knuckles stung after the physician’s potion, which made them worse. The charges against him were serious and his whole future now hung by the slender thread of his own defence.
Sir George Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury, sat behind a grand desk in his oak-panelled office, the white staff, warrant of his authority from the king, used as a paperweight. He peered at Brandon with an appraising stare, as if judging him before he’d even had the chance to speak.
A thickset, powerful man with a well-groomed beard, Sir George was a loyal favourite of the king. Presiding over the royal household was only part of his reward. He studied the parchment on the desk before him, raising an eyebrow at the contents.
‘Charles Brandon, I have the duty of administering justice between the domestic servants of the sovereign – and deciding the punishment, where appropriate.’
Brandon groaned inwardly. He’d given no thought to what the punishment might be. Although he’d hoped the escapade would be forgotten, he should have known there would be consequences when he threw the first punch. A heavy fine was likely, and that would increase his mounting debts. He had no money of his own and hadn’t yet made any payments to his uncle. He envied the Lord Steward’s power and braced himself for what was to come.
‘We cannot allow servants of the king to brawl in the street like commoners, Brandon.’ Sir George scowled at the thought. ‘What do you have to say for yourself?’
‘They insulted the memory of my father, my lord.’
Sir George’s chair creaked as he sat back in it, and his expression changed from apparent disinterest to one of curiosity. ‘I knew your father. He was a good man, to the end.’
Brandon struggled to remain silent. Sir George Talbot was present at Bosworth and might have witnessed his father’s death by the sword of King Richard, unable to defend himself while holding the Tudor standard. Brandon’s mother once said it was typical of him. To this day, he regretted not asking her to tell him more. He made a judgement to speak.
‘They said my father forced himself on a gentlewoman – and her daughter.’ He dug his nails into his palms as he battled to control the anger returning to his voice. It pained him to repeat the slur but he had no choice.
‘I’ve heard the story,’ Sir George nodded, ‘although I’ve no idea if it’s true.’ He referred to the papers again and looked up at Brandon. ‘You are charged with affray, yet if I find these men set upon you, I can record it as self-defence.’ His tone had softened a little.
‘I beg your forgiveness, my lord. I do not wish to name those who insulted my father’s name.’
‘Most noble of you, Master Brandon,’ his eyes narrowed, ‘although the report before me shows you defended your father somewhat better than he defended himself.’ Sir George seemed to reach a decision. ‘You hold a position of trust as a servant of the king.’ He frowned. ‘You should be dismissed, without references.’
‘My lord, I confess to acting rashly—’
Sir George Talbot held up a hand to silence him. ‘I’ve decided to reassign you to new duties, in return for your guarantee to show more restraint in the future.’
‘You have my word, my lord.’
‘Good.’ Sir George nodded. ‘I’ve seen your skill at the joust, Brandon. You show much promise. It’s a waste of your talents to have you serving the king’s table. How old are you now?’
‘Twenty-one, my lord.’
‘You’ve served time enough. I could put your name forward for the King’s Spears – but I have to be satisfied you are worthy of the task...’
‘I am, sir.’ He watched Sir George stroke his beard as he made up his mind what to do. ‘I won’t let you down again, my lord. As you know, my uncle, Sir Thomas, is the king’s Master of the Horse. He has taught me well.’
‘Then you are fortunate, Brandon, but mark my words: for your father’s sake, I’m prepared to show leniency this time – but I shall not be forgiving if you appear before me again. Do you understand?’
‘I am grateful to you, my lord,’ Brandon gave a brief bow, ‘and will not forget your kindness.’
* * *
Author Info
Tony Riches is a full-time writer and lives with his wife in Pembrokeshire, West Wales. After several successful non-fiction books, Tony turned to novel writing and wrote ‘Queen Sacrifice’, set in 10th century Wales, followed by ‘The Shell’, a thriller set in present-day Kenya. A specialist in the history of the early Tudors, he is best known for his Tudor Trilogy. Tony’s other international bestsellers include ‘Warwick ~ The Man Behind the Wars of the Roses’ and ‘The Secret Diary of Eleanor Cobham’.
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Blog Tour Schedule
Thursday, February 28 Review at Passages to the Past
Friday, March 1 Feature at CelticLady's Reviews Review at Locks, Hooks and Books
Monday, March 4 Interview at Passages to the Past
Tuesday, March 5 Review at Donna's Book Blog
Wednesday, March 6 Guest Post at Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen
Thursday, March 7 Feature at T's Stuff
Friday, March 8 Excerpt at The Book Junkie Reads
Monday, March 11 Guest Post at On the Tudor Trail
Tuesday, March 12 Review at Hisdoryan Feature at To Read, Or Not to Read
Wednesday, March 13 Review at For the Sake of Good Taste
Thursday, March 14 Excerpt at Myths, Legends, Books & Coffee Pots
Friday, March 15 Review at Coffee and Ink Review at A Darn Good Read
Sunday, March 17 Review at Historical Fiction with Spirit
Monday, March 18 Review at Maiden of the Pages Review at Svetlana's Reads and Views
Tuesday, March 19 Review at The Tudor Enthusiast Review at Just One More Chapter
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