Male characters

Expectations of Men

Men do not suffer the legal restrictions that women at this time do. However, there are still heavy expectations on any man at court and these are critical to remaining in the King’s favour.

These come in the four broad archetypes explained below. Common among them all is an expectation of excellence worthy of notice and respect from the Queens and the King. There is no shortage of men who would be overjoyed to come to court. As a result, men who do not strive to make themselves remarkable will soon bore the King and he would dismiss them from court.

These roles are not completely set in stone, but it would be unusual for somebody to step far outside them without upsetting the status quo. For example, a man favoured by Henry for drinking, gambling and hunting would not be taken seriously if he were to strike up a conversation about Luther’s 95 Theses or changes to laws.

Men at court are justly proud of their great names and positions. They will hesitate to back down from positions they have taken publicly, and avoid being seen to be the first to compromise. Only weak men need to negotiate with others – the powerful man will be approached for favours, not beg for them from others.

Male archetypes

Jock/physical

I can promise you that when I go to Sacramento, I will pump up Sacramento.
-Arnold Schwarzenegger

Excel in physical pursuits
Revels in excess – boisterous, boasting, gambling, drinking, womanising, etc.
Acceptable to be physically or romantically promiscuous

Some men are expected to impress with his physical feats like hunting, jousting, wrestling, falconry, archery… or at least entertaining stories of them. Henry was of course a great carouser and martial man in his youth. In his old age he likes nothing more than to hear of the joie de vivre of the younger men of his court. The King is always pleased by a good story when he’s in the right mood.

These men enjoy a general air of exuberance, gambling and drinking and flirting outrageously with ladies of the court (and possibly men, see sexuality). He may be in the military. He may be an old hunting companion of the king, kept at court as a ‘gentleman pensioner‘ – a bodyguard to the King.

Whether or not he’s happily married, it’s very acceptable for him to conduct affairs, keep a mistress, and flirt. He will of course brag about it to his male friends.

Religion is not his chief concern as long as he makes a show of piety to whatever Henry is keen on today. Some of these men may have genuine faith, but little interest in discussing theology.

Note this game has no need for anybody to demonstrate their ability to falcon, wrestle, hunt, swordfight, etc. etc. bragging about it will do just fine.

Examples: Frances Bryan, a young Charles Brandon

Nerd/intellectual

The thing is, you’ve been listening to the wrong expert. You need to listen to the right expert. And you need to know what an expert is going to advise you before he advises you.
-Malcolm Tucker

Is a respected scholar and thinker of Renaissance Humanism
Expected to demonstrate their excellence in knowledge
Measured behaviour with sober but rich clothing
May pursue romance for marriage but avoids scandal and affairs

A Scholar in the Renaissance is expected be just that – a Renaissance Man. They will show a keen interest in many topics, ranging from languages to mathematics to military tactics. Humanism is the key movements of the age so the more knowledge the better. People value a broad classical education and some even suggest that ordinary citizens should receive this.

These men of letters show sober taste in clothing, behaviour and attitude. They are in their element discussing intellectual matters and always ready to impress with an entertaining fact or a carefully considered (but non-controversial) point of theology. They will never waste an opportunity to show their learning and knowledge.

They will happily court women romantically but with a view to marrying and settling down. Affairs would be unusual and very discreet.

Scholars were useful to King Henry in providing convincing legal arguments that sovereigns of England are subordinate to no authority other than God. This has been key to founding the Henrician Church of England. This also laid the legal framework for royal polygamy, the obvious and godly solution to the King’s Great Matter.

Scholars are the most socially mobile group at court. Many of them came up from lower classes via education at monasteries, followed by Cambridge (and in extreme circumstances, even Oxford). Henry is one the most learned men of the age. He is always ready to match wits with a fellow intellectual about any subject, providing they don’t show him up of course.

While we don’t expect anybody to do a masters in philosophy/humanities, a bit of background reading into your character’s interests and the philosophy of the day might add some enjoyment.

Examples: Thomas More, Francis Dereham, Thomas Wriothesley

Clergy/spiritual

Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by the rulers as useful.
-Lucius Annaeus Seneca

Command spiritual authority, take confession
May explain theology to women
Wear robes to express their status as a priest
Officially chaste and may not marry. Might have a long term partner as an open secret

Men of the cloth have taken holy orders and dedicated their life to God as a lifelong commitment. They command true spiritual authority and should live up to that ideal. Clergy in the Henrician Church and the Catholic Church do not marry and officially remain chaste. In reality, many priests take a mistress and even live and travel with them, though they would not be welcomed or mentioned at Court.

All clergy will have a good standard of education, especially in the classics. They should be sincere and discreet and able to advise any person on deep matters of faith. For some priests, this includes taking confession.

Given the legal prohibitions on women discussing theology, Priests are the only people trusted to explain it to them. This is best done by individual women privately approaching a priest to ask for clarification on any points she’s confused about.

Clergymen display their status through their formal rank in their Church. Their robes should express their spiritual authority.

Their behaviour will be considered and sincere, except when dealing with heresy or having a theological debate when it may get more heated.

Displaying loyalty to the head of their church is paramount, whether that is Henry or the Pope. Henry is of course a noted theologian and the head of the Henrician Church of England, subservient to none but God himself. He regularly seeks counsel from his priests in his older years. He may even enjoy a debate with a Catholic.

Examples: Cardinal Reginald Pole, Bishop Hugh Latimer, Bishop Stephen Gardiner

Statesman

All men can see these tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved.
Sun Tzu

Trusted advisor of a head of state
Promoted from any other archetype to become one of the most important men in England
Impeccable taste in clothing and manner
Little time or appetite for scandal and affairs
Focussed on legacy and consolidating power

When a man displays true excellence for long enough, he may become a confidante of the King. Henry trusts these men to advise him and act on his behalf. Men of this calibre become Statesman, and count themself among the most senior and respected people in Europe. In the English court, this would usually include a role on the Privy Council.

Statesmen were once another archetype. A hunting comrade’s enduring reliability, loyalty and companionship; a scholar’s reliable legal expertise in difficult circumstances; or a Clergyman’s discretion and counsel might attract this kind of senior position at court.

Statesmen will display impeccable taste in clothing and possessions. They show their power by demonstrating their awareness of their place in the court hierarchy and their influence. They are sober men, attentive to the respect they command. Their mind is often on the legacy they leave for their family and the place they carve out in history. They are unlikely to engage in affairs or romances – too much risk and too many other things to do.One of the leading philosophical questions of the age is how to advise a prince (Utopia – Thomas More, The Prince – Niccolò Machiavelli, etc.). Any Statesman will take pride that he is always ready to counsel a king and act in his best interests at all times… at least as far as the King knows.

Examples: Cardinal Wolsey, Thomas Howard – Duke of Norfolk,