Sir Francis Bryan: "The Vicar of Hell"?

Рет қаралды 21,137

7 ай бұрын

Let’s take a look at the life, career and legacy of Sir Francis Bryan to see if we can find out why anyone was call him the Vicar of Hell - was this a moniker he earned for himself?
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Intro / Outro song: Silent Partner, "Greenery" [ • Greenery - Silent Part... ]
SFX from freesfx.co.uk/Default.aspx
Linked videos and playlists:
FOCOG: • The Field of the Cloth...
Wyatt the Elder: • Sir Thomas Wyatt the E...
Eltham Ordinances: • Cardinal Thomas Wolsey...
Images (from Wikimedia Commons, unless otherwise stated):
Portrait of King Henry VII by an unknown Netherlandish artist (1505). Held by the National Portrait Gallery.
Portrait of King Henry VIII, attributed to Meynnart Wewuck (c.1509). Held by the Denver Art Museum.
Portrait of Catherine of Aragon by Lucas Horenbout (1525). Held in an unidentified collection / location.
Portrait of Nicholas Carew by Hans Holbein the Younger (1532-1533). Held by Drumlanrig Castle.
Screenshot from www.oed.com/dictionary/cup-be...
Henry VIII dining in his privy chamber from the circle of Hans Holbein the Younger (c.1548). Held by the British Museum.
“The Field of the Cloth of Gold” by an unknown artist of the British School (c.1545). Held by the Royal Collection Trust.
“Sack of Rome of 1527” by Johannes Lingelbach (17th century). From L'Histoire April-June 2009, p.74.
Portrait of Anne Boleyn by an unknown English artist (late 16th century, based on a work of circa 1533-1536). Held by the National Portrait Gallery.
Portrait of Thomas Wolsey by an unknown artist (1589-1595, based on a work of circa 1520). Held by the National Portrait Gallery.
Portrait of Francis I by Jean Clouet (c.1527-1530). Held by the Louvre Museum.
Portrait of Thomas Cromwell by Hans Holbein the Younger (1532-1533). Held by the Frick Collection.
Screenshot from www.british-history.ac.uk/let...
Replica of one of the Pilgrimage of Grace banners.
Edward VI as a child by Hans Holbein the Younger (c.1538). Held by the National Gallery of Art, Washington.
Portrait of Charles V attributed to Lambert Sustris (1548). Held by the Alte Pinakothek.
King Edward VI and the Pope by an unknown artist (c.1575). Held by the National Portrait Gallery.
Quoted texts:
Susan Brigden, ODNB entry on Francis Bryan
Also consulted, were:
Other relevant entries from The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography Online.
#Tudor #History #VicarOfHell

Пікірлер: 272

@suzzannegabel1636 7 ай бұрын

Whatever else he was or wasn't, Sir Francis was a very lucky man. To move in those circles and to escape with his head intact was almost a miracle.

@lindanosek2066 7 ай бұрын

I know this is ridiculously superficial in light of all the very interesting content you consistently offer on your channel, I must tell you that your hair is lovely and I hope to see you displaying those locks more often in future. Oh, and yes, thank you for all your wonderful talks, especially concerning the fascinating Tudor era.

@bushwickbaby 7 ай бұрын

OMG!!! I was just sitting here thinking "Dr. Kat's hair looks terrific!" LOL!!

@camsnow2856 7 ай бұрын

I agree. It’s gorgeous!

@mariahamilton5305 7 ай бұрын

I know you're not meant to make personal remarks but it does look nice.

@BeeKool__113 7 ай бұрын

I was thinking very same thing!! Her hair is so stunning!! Like a real life fairytale princess. Her locks are lovely!!

@nessagirl1911 7 ай бұрын

I was thinking the same thing!

@eshim3961 7 ай бұрын

Only Dr. Kat they keep me utterly engrossed in the life story of someone who I have never heard of and died over 500 years ago. You have the most amazing gifts for bringing history to life.

@ReadingthePast 7 ай бұрын

Thank you so much ☺️

@rodneyferris4089 7 ай бұрын

vicar of Heel maybe.. but he escaped the block in a teflon coat of armour! What an amazing story... a man who was related to the IT Crowd of the time and held rathe prestigious positions of trust.. But who also had the foresight to see the silliness and the pettiness of the Powerful. What a man and what a time...

@kerryboren 3 ай бұрын

Sir Francis Bryan was my 7th great grandfather. He was one of the most fascinating men of history, and his influence and adventures are still being discovered. His descendants were equally influential and also controversial, like their sire. His story cannot be fully told in one sitting, but you have done an admirable job of capsulizing and enlightening this amazing man's life and career. Thank you. 🦊🗡📜

@kathrynmast916 7 ай бұрын

Francis Bryan was a true Tudor man because he played a dangerous and yet shrewd game within Henry court. As always Dr. Kay brings a little known but interesting character to life. 😘

@GBunnyG 7 ай бұрын

Vicar of Hell is the name of my new heavy metal band. 🎸🎸🎸

@jenniferstone2975 7 ай бұрын

Fascinating how small and tangled the English aristocracy family trees were back in the day…

@gingersnap7822 7 ай бұрын

One of my absolute favorite content creators! I don't think I'd trust Francis Bryan as far as I could throw him... As for an emoji, some form of alcohol seems fitting 🍷

@conemadam 7 ай бұрын

As an admirer of Thomas Cromwell, I think that his calling sir Francis « The Vicar of Hell « is a sign of Cromwell’s mordant wit. It’s hilarious, and it is clear that Cromwell was not a fan!

@Myke_OBrien 7 ай бұрын

Okay, I’m going to be superficial as well, just briefly. Loving the Rapunzel look. Moving on, Vicar of Hell is perhaps appropriate, as he managed to keep his head and remain in favor with Henry, while several of his kin lost theirs. Brilliant as always! 👹

@ReadingthePast 7 ай бұрын

Thank you ☺️

@susannaheanes 7 ай бұрын

Quite the interesting fellow - a survivor adept at negotiating the various issues at court who seems to have often been looking over his shoulder, wary of what might be getting ready to happen. Yet he also was certainly able to have a bit of fun and enjoyed his cups, so to speak. 🍷🍾🍻

@susanfisher606 7 ай бұрын

I think Francis Bryan was very shrewd. He successfully managed to navigate the highly volatile court of Henry VIII. 🏇🧐(this is as close to an eye-patch as I could find)

@LiRaby5173 7 ай бұрын

I have had so many interesting talks with my mother about Henry VIII in the last few months and thanks to your channel I've been able to keep up with her and even correct her a few times! Thank you for all the wonderful information and a new way for me to talk with my 78 year old mom. Daddy was a history major in college before they had pre-law so mom studied history after they married in whatever books she found and I didn't know about it for 50+ years lol. I also think your hair is especially lovely down!😊

@ReadingthePast 7 ай бұрын

This is such a lovely comment to read! I’m so happy that you are having a lovely time with your Mum 😊

@BriarMB13 7 ай бұрын

Dr. Kat any time I see a new video of yours I feel relieved, I know I'll get to take my mind off of life for a little bit when I listen. It doesn't matter if I'm cooking, or driving, or doing homework, having you on in the background is so nice, your voice is soothing and your content is so well informed. A difficult week like this really puts into perspective how sincerely happy I am that I found your videos a few years ago. Have a great weekend

@gabrielelamys389 6 ай бұрын

👍

@beabarber4300 7 ай бұрын

This guy would be a raging success in current politics.

@debcarroll8192 7 ай бұрын

I love the title, "Master of the Henchmen."

@ReadingthePast 7 ай бұрын

I am secretly wondering if I can add it to my email signature / business cards etc. What do you reckon???

@lisam5744 7 ай бұрын

So many people were related by blood or marriage in and around Henry VIII...and it didn't seem to mean a whole lot when it came to saving their own skin. They changed allegiances whenever the wind changed direction. It really surprises me that people would want to be around the royal court when it could mean your death if someone was out to get you.

@1234cheerful 7 ай бұрын

Oh but the risk could be so worth it when you consider the rewards, if you could stand the pace! And one always thinks it is the other guy who will fall.

@theguest4516 7 ай бұрын

But it could also mean that your blood ended up on throne. Seriously, who would have thought a Spencer would have blood that went directly to the throne. Nobody that's who. Look what happened though.

@nearlydied 7 ай бұрын

It's weird to think of him being called the vicar of hell. He seemed to have done what Henry wanted for the most part.... Unless you were (arguably rightfully) describing Henry as the devil himself. In which case, I could totally see it.

@bushwickbaby 7 ай бұрын

Dr. Kat consistently reminds me of how little I know about the Tudor period, but is so GOOD at introducing her subjects and giving incredibly detailed background. I had no idea Francis Bryan was related to Queen Anne and Queen Katherine! He sounds like the most horrific of people--which is saying a lot considering who his competition was. As for the emoji....💩

@delphinidin 7 ай бұрын

"The Expulsion of the Minions" lolol

@randysmith7189 7 ай бұрын

I love listening to you and I learn so much! I wish you had been my history teacher while in school and college.

@playnicechannel 7 ай бұрын

Such an excellent episode.👍⭐️ He was a fascinating man in service of a wildly unpredictable and often irascible and violent 👑 King. It’s just so medieval that a member of court and the privy council was related to four of the royal wives… also medieval they were related to each other through noble family lines. Sir Francis Bryan seems to have had an unusual amount of luck ☘️☘️ and kept his fortune and resources ⚜️💷💷🏰despite bad habits which normally relieve you of these things. He also managed to embarrass old Henry to the French Court and lived to tell the tale. Perhaps his moniker was somehow intimating he must have made a deal with the Prince of darkness because he clearly didn’t seem to value piety. Excellent episode ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

@Mazikeen2904 7 ай бұрын

It's shows how much I've watched and enjoyed your content that as soon as you mentioned the Boleyn and Howard connections, I knew who you were talking about. Your channel is very relaxing and fascinating to me 😊

@maryloumawson6006 7 ай бұрын

I've long been fascinated by the Tudor era, starting in high school when we covered A Man for All Season and continuing in my twenties while watching PBS broadcasting of The Six Wives of Henry VIII. I must admit to watching The Tudors several times and the character of Sir Frances Bryan always had me wondering. There's not much mention of him in other media about Henry VIII, and i don't recall that his eyepatch was ever explained. So thank you for that bit of information. Well done. Perhaps his nickname has to do with his dealings with the Pope, the Vicar of Rome? A slur to mock his worthiness to appeal to him. Just an idea. 👹☠🔥

@grace5969 7 ай бұрын

I think Francis Bryan certainly earned his nickname, and definitely went where the wind blew😮

@dalestaley5637 7 ай бұрын

Oh, I caught this from the beginning live! KZfaq fails to alert me. I enjoy your lectures so much. You're looking healthy and lovely Dr Kat.

@mariannefoulger9194 5 ай бұрын

Hello from the other side of the pond. Recently had my DNA completed and Sir Francis Bryan was my direct relative through my Grandmother. Needless to say, I was somewhat shocked at his life experiences and his relationship to King Henry VIII. I found your video very informative and helped me understand how all the families were related. The presentation was superb and your knowledge of the facts was mesmerizing. I will need to watch a few more times while taking notes. Also, Thank you for the pictures you shared. Many Thanks, Marianne

@waynebean1521 7 ай бұрын

Superb! I loved it. And thank you for the tempting informational tidbit about Reginald Pole. Can't wait to hear more!

@ellencook1658 7 ай бұрын

❤🍻🍷👺🥷 This guy was everywhere!

@MinaHampton1990 6 ай бұрын

I have to agree, the fact that this man thrived is remarkable. Thank you for your wonderful content that I have with my morning coffees ☺️

@HilaryElizabeth9 7 ай бұрын

Hair! Hair hair hair hair! I love your pretty hair! I love you regardless of your hair, and I have listened to every single one of your vids (not all lives), so hair is not important. BUT IT'S FANTASTIC!

@ReadingthePast 7 ай бұрын

Thank you for the lovely compliment ☺️

@Scraggledust 7 ай бұрын

You never fail to impress with your content🙌🏾! Ol’ Sir Francés Brian seems to be sneaky “out loud” 🥸🦾😏…😅

@danielsantiagourtado3430 7 ай бұрын

Love your content!😊😊😊❤❤❤

@hillerymcdonald2303 7 ай бұрын

Dr. Kat, you look particularly lovely today!! :) Fascinating video!

@candyh2o 7 ай бұрын

I always enjoy hearing snippets of history. TY so much and *cheers*

@FunnyClementine 7 ай бұрын

🎪 I think he was just one acrobat many at Henry's Court trying to maintain the balance between giving him what he wanted then in the moment, and trying to anticipate if he was going to still want it in a few months.

@ReadingthePast 7 ай бұрын

Acrobat is such a good description for people like Bryan!

@lisalightner8068 7 ай бұрын

As a vision-impaired person with one functioning eye, I like to hear about historical figures like myself in this regard. Francis Bryan is a favourite. 🫣👁🎭♟🏰⚔️⚜️

@lucieramirez1378 7 ай бұрын

Your presentation is flawless. Thank you.😊.

@vlmellody51 7 ай бұрын

Fascinating video as always, Dr. Kat!?I ❤🐴

@theresalaux5655 7 ай бұрын

Your videos are so interesting! 😊❤

@mellowfishie 7 ай бұрын

Really interesting to see this courtier's life and connections to these famous queens of England, and very cool that it's the female line which connects them! Social Glyph for Consideration: 🏴‍☠pirate flag for the mercenary nature of his allegiances and for the eyepatch connection!

@joshubrook324 7 ай бұрын

Thank you another well researched and interesting tale, I’m liking the subtitles with key dates & events I’m more of a visual learner and like to see the text as you are talking.

@kerriemckinstry-jett8625 7 ай бұрын

Have you tried using the closed captions? I use them because I'm hearing impaired, but they're also good for people who do better with seeing things than just listening to them.

@powellmountainmike8853 7 ай бұрын

Interesting history one does not hear in general histories of Tudor England; thanks ! 🐎

@debramockler-young2203 7 ай бұрын

Finally learning family lines🦨

@mummamortitia 7 ай бұрын

I'd love it if you'd cover Dr. Rowland Taylor, a martyr and my 13th great grandfather.

@scottandkatherinenewport3044 7 ай бұрын

Thanks Dr Kat for another really interesting video 🙂

@gospelaccordingtojohn8959 6 ай бұрын

Thank you for another great historical insight.❤ I’ve been binging many of your episodes during the holidays. Nothing like celebrating Christmas by watching a show of someone getting their head lobbed off😂 New Years greetings from the States!

@hiwakoo 7 ай бұрын

So engaged 😇

@patriciahill6839 7 ай бұрын

really enjoy😢

@j7333nnn 7 ай бұрын

Thanks, fascinating as always 🤩 Jeffrey

@ReadingthePast 7 ай бұрын

Thank you so much 🤩

@311girl 7 ай бұрын

It sounds like Francis Bryan was a brilliant courtier who always knew which way the wind was blowing.

@AnimalisMD 7 ай бұрын

Great talk Dr. Kat! I couldn't find an eyepatch emoji so here's one with a monocle and a horse!🧐🏇

@FinnandErin 7 ай бұрын

Thanks for all of this information!

@cindygrubbs5856 7 ай бұрын

Thank you, Dr. Kat! That was very interesting! ❤

@haleyc8658 7 ай бұрын

Wonderful video as always ❤

@susanpilling8849 7 ай бұрын

Thanks Dr Kat. Fascinating as always. 💙

@mike-myke22 7 ай бұрын

Love your talks. As ever, thanks for posting 👍

@michellecornum5856 7 ай бұрын

I'm not stumped.🛼⛸ He managed to skate the perimeter of a very dangerous king, and I think he knew it. He survived Henry and the Tudors at large, no small feat. I think when a you are tasked, personally, to kill someone, it makes you swallow hard, and if you have any brains about you, you realize that you might be next. I wonder if he caught wind of something, as Anne was settling in, that made him whisper "shit, shit, shit" as he extracted himself from court. "Many unsavory lengths --" that's both intriguing and unsettling. I think the strain of it all led him to get a little out of control, and being given a second chance, he understood, lesson learned, keep your head down, do as you are told, make no waves. "Vicar of Hell" may have just been a bit of hopeful paperwork that could be used later as a papertrail leading to his execution. 👗🤔 here's a dress, as there is no emoji for skirt, as in skirting disaster. I do wonder what his sudden death was -- certainly not at Henry's hands, so, there's at least that.

@rgen6857 7 ай бұрын

Love your content Dr. Kat! Also your video quality is really good, like your new hairstlye ❤

@magdalenadetoffol6406 7 ай бұрын

Thank You! ❤

@ginawingrove7061 6 ай бұрын

Lots of interesting facts and info on Sir Francis Bryan, thank you so much. I'm looking forward to seeing more of your videos 🌼

@chrismurray2237 7 ай бұрын

👁️ great presentation, as always!

@prettypic444 7 ай бұрын

Please Dr. Kat, feel free to send us down whatever rabbit holes you find- they’re always FASCINATING. I do agree that “master of the henchmen” is a great title. I’d argue it’s even better than “vicar of hell”! 🦹‍♂️

@veedoran270 6 ай бұрын

thank you SO MUCH for such an interesting talk about someone I hadnever heard of before.

@christineholbrook1107 7 ай бұрын

Thankyou for this fascinating video . I love your luscious locks .😍

@Dfoto679 5 ай бұрын

Wonderful

@Lisa59 7 ай бұрын

I always think of Francis Bryant as the eye patch guy on The Tudors. He always looked ominous, untrustworthy, and sketchy- or maybe that was just the actor

@foxesofautumn 7 ай бұрын

This one was really interesting and not a story I’ve heard before! Nice job.

@franceenwebb9003 7 ай бұрын

😮 At some point, I believe Francis transferred his love, loyalty, and respect from Henry to the French king. Until that point, there appeared no rumors of scandalous behavior. I believe that crisis broke him, and his Machiavellian actions afterwards earned him the epithet. I admire his ability to keep his head above water in the swamp of Henry's court.

@TikiHi77 7 ай бұрын

There are so many people of this time period that led fascinating lives, his is one of them. Thank you for covering hime. I hope you will have a more indepth look at his life.

@fitnessgal 7 ай бұрын

Loved the video, as always! Great stuff to mull over...😇😈Perhaps, a bit of both?

@madelinevanderbunny607 7 ай бұрын

Thanks!

@ReadingthePast 7 ай бұрын

Thank you so much ☺️

@justme-tj3jt 7 ай бұрын

I still don't know why he was called "The Vicar of Hell".

@French-Kiss24 7 ай бұрын

Without really knowing anything, it sounds as if Sir Francis Bryan had many talents, especially in diplomacy. Much later he was recalled due to bad behavior. Again later, he was a diplomat again. I suspect he was an alcoholic, who made a mess of things for a while. His last words seem to acknowledge that.

@annemorton5236 7 ай бұрын

Great video! It's inspired me to read Wolf Hall again. 👹

@KirianTwins 2 ай бұрын

I love your hair 💕

@spameranne 7 ай бұрын

emoji that speak to me: 🏇 (always on the road) 📜 (diplomatic messages)

@janegardener1662 7 ай бұрын

Did Jane Austen get her characters' surnames from the Tudor period? I'm thinking of Wentworth and Tilney in these family trees. Also the surnames Denny and Eltham from further on in the video.

@ReadingthePast 7 ай бұрын

Lots of these families continued to have extraordinary influence and prominence down the years - some still do!

@curiousman1672 7 ай бұрын

After brief research, it appears that he earned the moniker due to being a lech and having principles that would shift with the winds of self-promotion. Having stated that, the "Hell" aspect seems a wee bit harsh considering his Master was fond of beheading. A self-serving man in Henry VIII's court? Shocking. 😛

@MH-sk8qs 7 ай бұрын

Great job👹

@debbralehrman5957 7 ай бұрын

Thanks Dr. Kat's👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 👼🏻🎶📯🎄🕯🌟🎁

@bentleestarr1575 7 ай бұрын

I missed the beginning 😢 happy holidays

@ReadingthePast 7 ай бұрын

Sorry, I hope you enjoyed nevertheless 😊

@vb8801 7 ай бұрын

I always check to see if I'm still subscribed when you mention it and it's finally happened! I was no longer subscribed! How dare YT do that, so rude!

@ReadingthePast 7 ай бұрын

I wonder why this happens? It’s so odd! Thank you for checking and re-subscribing 😊

@theaxe6198 7 ай бұрын

I was super interested in Bryan too

@BTScriviner 7 ай бұрын

Those family trees of the nobility are so complicated that it's a wonder they could keep them straight.

@bonnieskilton3247 7 ай бұрын

Please do a video on Stephen Gardener.

@Theturtleowl 5 ай бұрын

'Master of Henchman' and 'The Vicar of Hell' sound like great boss titles.

@literary_bites 7 ай бұрын

Always enjoy listening 🧐🏇🏻✝🤨

@kidmohair8151 7 ай бұрын

that's quite the family tree...4 of H8's queens. *and* he survived! (as for the Vicar of Hell? he wasn't even a priest)

@Cindy-by3ho 6 ай бұрын

❤️🇨🇦👑🇬🇧💂🏻‍♀️🫅🏼🧐👁️🫅🏼🏰⛪️🕯️✝️Another great video! Thank you!

@starrywizdom 6 ай бұрын

Totally off topic, but I love your hair-do in this one.

@madelinevanderbunny607 7 ай бұрын

😈 I tried to find an eye patch emoji but unfortunately I was unable to do so but I think this little devil/demon thing would be kind of a cute visual for vicar of hell. Lol