So, who exactly was this Sir Francis AKA Eye Patch AKA the “man who likes to board other men’s boats” who shows up on the scene this season of The Tudors?
Alan Van Sprang as Sir Francis Bryan in The Tudors
Did a little internetting and found some interesting info on him.
A roguish playboy, he was known to be an on and off member of H8’s entourage. He was considered a libertine, willing to do whatever the king wanted, if it kept him in favor at court. He was very well connected and even related to a lot of people; He was the second cousin of both Anne Boleyn and Jane Seymour (these people were kinda inbred, no?) Although, I guess he didn’t really care for Anne that much, since he apparently conspired against her and ultimately aided in her downfall.
I also learned that he did indeed loose an eye in some kind of sporting match and had to wear an eyepatch.
He somehow earned the awesome nickname Vicar of Hell but it’s not exactly clear whether this was intended as a joke or if it referred to his wretched activities. I am willing to bet it’s probably both!
More on Sir Francis Bryan from Wikipedia
and on The Tudors Wiki
Anyone know more about this mysterious fellow? Please add on in the comments!
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11 Comments
You could tell from the very first scene that he was a sly one. He helped petition the Pope for Henry’s divorce from Catherine.
You’re comment about in-breeding is so true. I did family research two years ago and found that I’m related to many royal lines. The tendency is if you are related to one, you end up being related to many because they ran in such small circles and of course wanted to maintain noble lineage.
The was inbreeding. Women were bargining chips used to make political liasons. That is one reason Hemophilia is known as the Disease of Royality.
Queen Victoria was related to most of the royality in Europe, including the Russian Czar and Kaiser.
I did the same thing after the first time I saw the season 3 finale… Eye patches = Interesting, not sure why.
The eye patch is to cover up the eye Francis Bryan lost in a joust. He was one of H VIII’s best buddies, for many years. He was actually around when Anne B was beheaded. Not sure why he didn’t turn up until now, unless we just need another bad guy.
Eye patch or not he’s hot!
Agreed Georgina!
Nah, you have it all wrong, he was my boyfriend in my sophmore year at Sarah Lawrence, LOL.
Yes, he was a libertine, but, he was healthy, believe me!
Generally, I don’t like men with facial hair but this man is one of the exceptions. He has a very masculine presence like Nigel Davenport (Lord Bothwell) in the movie: ” Mary, Queen of Scots.”
I love The Tudors, what a plethora of good-looking masculine men to watch! I like James Frain in the part of Cromwell. So many! The most dastardly Cromwell was played by John Colicos in the movie: “Anne of the Thousand Days.” Richard Burton and Genevieve Bujold are great as King Henry & Anne Boleyn.
The actors in both aforementioned movies are stellar performances!
I hope The Tudors goes on to Elizabeth I’s great reign. Fabulous series. I hope it wins many Emmys! It deserves to.
Set-costumes.acting- This series has it all. Good Job!
SHOWTIME’S TUDORS is fraught with inconsistencies. All the good looking men is one of them. Look on the internet for actual visages of these self serving trolls. Henry the 8th was an obese, sickly, megalomaniac who lost his senses in later years to syphyllis. I have studied the TUDORS through Henry the 7th – Elizabeth 1 since I was 14. Suffolk was another homely man who had several wives not just the pretty little nun-like thing in the series. Seek the internet for truth!
One needs to remember this is not a documentary on the Tudors. It is but a show – no where do they say there is any historical accuracy in it. Lets face if if Henry was played by Brian Denehhey would we really be so invested in this King….nah, not at all.
Based on copies of portraits, all of them back then were fugly. Naturally beauty is in the eye of the beholder but …… ugh.
I for one love the cast, the acting and the inconsistencies in the story line.
The basics are in it. If you were going to take your regents exams based on this telling of the story, you would most certainly fail. Is it good TV – Hell Yeah!
I went to see Mary Stuart on Broadway. One of the most dramatic scene’s in it never happened in real life….it made for a great play.
Its all about story telling. Enjoy it for the drama not the reality.
Good Idea Mistress Anya! Would LOVE to see this series play out through Elizabeth I’s reign!!!