He risked his life marrying her. A royal marriage required the king’s explicit consent. To wed the king’s sister without approval was treated as an act of treason. Before sending ambassadors to France, with Charles Brandon leading the mission, Henry VIII tasked the envoy with congratulating the newly crowned Francis I and escorting his sister Mary Tudor back to England from her brief queenship. Mary was a valuable dynastic asset, and Henry was determined to have her returned under his control. B