Charles, Duke of Suffolk is one of King Henry’s close friends and game partners.
He thinks it more likely that desire for Anne Bullen explains the King’s wanting a divorce than remorse over having married his brother’s widow. He comes to admire Anne once he knows her, and is aware of the plans for her coronation before they are common knowledge. He is not a supporter of Wolsey, and joins in Surrey’s condemnation of him once he has fallen. He does not play games as well as does the King, unless the latter is distracted. Having become High Steward, he is a member of the council that attempts to judge Cranmer for heresy, though he takes no active part in the interrogation and tried to dissuade the council from bringing Cranmer to trial. He carries the white rod of office that identifies him as High Steward in Queen Anne’s coronation procession.
