House of Dudley

Kingmakers but never kings, traitors at the heart of power, innocents married for the sake of family ambition - meet the House of Dudley

Every Tudor monarch made their name with a Dudley by their side - or by crushing one beneath their feet.

The Dudleys thrived at the court of Henry VII, but were sacrificed for the popularity of Henry VIII. Rising to prominence in the reign of Edward VI, the Dudleys lost it all by advancing Jane Grey to the throne over Mary I. Under Elizabeth I, the family were once again at the centre of power. This time, they would do anything to remain there . . .

With three generations of executed favourites, what caused this family to keep rising so high and falling so low?