Charles VIII

Also known as: Charles the eight · Family: France · Role: dauphin · First appears: Edward IV 29

Life events

• c. 1474 · Charles VIII and Elizabeth of York were promised in marriage.(Edward IV 29)
  • With: Elizabeth of York
  • “And further it was agréed, that Charles the Dolphin should marrie the ladie Elizabeth, eldest daughter to king Edward,”
• c. 1483 · Margaret of Austria was contracted and espoused to the French dauphin, Charles VIII.(Edward IV 39 · 📍 Ambois)
  • With: Margaret of Austria
  • “saw the ladie Margaret of Austrich daughter to duke Maximilian, sonne to the emperor Frederike, receiued into France with great pompe and roialtie, and at Ambois to the Dolphin contracted and espoused.”
• c. 1483 · Charles VIII granted Henry VII a passport and money for his journey.(Richard III 12)
  • With: Henry VII
  • “This yoong king, hauing compassion of the misfortune of the earle of Richmond, not onelie gentlie granted and assigned to him a pasport; but also liberallie disbursed to him a great summe of monie for his conduct and expenses necessarie in his long iournie and passage.”
• c. 1484 · Christopher Urswick obtained Charles VIII’s permission for Richmond and his company to enter France safely.(Richard III 14 · 📍 Vannes)
  • With: Christopher Urswick
  • “When these newes were brought to the earle, he then kept house in Vannes, and incontinent dispatched againe Christopher Urswike vnto Charles the French king, requiring him that he and his might safelie passe into France. Which desire being obteined”
• c. 1484 · Henry VII requested aid, and Charles VIII promised him assistance and encouragement.(Richard III 15 · 📍 Langes)
  • With: Henry VII
  • “After that, hée required of him helpe and succour, to the intent that by his immortall benefit to him at that time shewed, hée might safelie returne vnto the nobilitie of his realme; of whome he was generallie called to take vpon him the crown & scepter of the realme, sith they much hated and abhorred the tyrannie of king Richard. King Charles promised him aid and comfort, and bade him be of good courage, and make good cheare; for he assured him that he would gladlie shew to him his beneuolent mind and bountifull liberalitie.”
• c. 1485 · Henry VII obtained French troops and money, left hostages, and departed the French court for Rone.(Richard III 18 · 📍 Rone)
  • With: Henry VII
  • “And so obteining of king Charles a small crew of men, and borrowing certeine summes of monie of him, and of diuerse other his priuate fréends, for the which he left as debter (or more likelie as a pledge or hostage) lord Thomas marquesse Dorset (whome he halfe mistrusted) and sir Iohn Bourchier, he departed from the French court, and came to the citie of Rone.”

Edward IV 29

• engaged with Elizabeth of York “Charles the Dolphin should marrie the ladie Elizabeth, eldest daughter to king Edward, and they two to haue for the maintenance of their estates the whole duchie of Guien”

Richard III 12

• parent: Louis XI (The preceding sentence identifies Charles VIII as the son and successor of Louis XI.) “This yoong king, hauing compassion of the misfortune of the earle of Richmond, not onelie gentlie granted and assigned to him a pasport;”
• protégé: Henry VII “This yoong king, hauing compassion of the misfortune of the earle of Richmond, not onelie gentlie granted and assigned to him a pasport; but also liberallie disbursed to him a great summe of monie for his conduct and expenses necessarie in his long iournie and passage.”
• with Henry VII (Charles VIII granted Henry VII safe conduct and financial assistance.) “This yoong king, hauing compassion of the misfortune of the earle of Richmond, not onelie gentlie granted and assigned to him a pasport; but also liberallie disbursed to him a great summe of monie for his conduct and expenses necessarie in his long iournie and passage.”

Richard III 14

• with Christopher Urswick (Christopher Urswick was dispatched to Charles as a messenger.) “When these newes were brought to the earle, he then kept house in Vannes, and incontinent dispatched againe Christopher Urswike vnto Charles the French king, requiring him that he and his might safelie passe into France.”

Richard III 15

• allies with Henry VII “King Charles promised him aid and comfort, and bade him be of good courage, and make good cheare; for he assured him that he would gladlie shew to him his beneuolent mind and bountifull liberalitie.”

Richard III 16

• protégé: Henry VII “Wherevpon he besought king Charles to take vpon him the whole tuition and defense of him and his cause, so that he and his companie being (by his means) aided and comforted, should confesse and saie, their wealth, victorie, and aduancement to haue flowed and budded foorth of his bountifulnesse and liberalitie, which they would (God willing) shortlie acquite.”

Richard III 18

• siblings with Joan of France “Lewes duke of Orleance was the chiefe stirrer, who bicause he had maried ladie Ioane sister to the French king”
• with Henry VII (Charles VIII provided Henry VII with troops and a loan.) “And so obteining of king Charles a small crew of men, and borrowing certeine summes of monie of him, and of diuerse other his priuate fréends”

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Extracted from the original text of Holinshed's Chronicles — the reigns Shakespeare dramatized. Made with Rho MD.