Biography of Owen Tudor 1400-1461
Paternal Family Tree: Tudor
1420 Marriage of Henry V and Catherine of Valois
1437 Death of Dowager Queen Consort Catherine of Valois
Around 1400 Owen Tudor was born to Maredudd Tudor (age 40).
Around 1406 [his father] Maredudd Tudor (age 46) died.
On 25 Oct 1415 King Henry V of England (age 29) defeated the French army at the Battle of Agincourt. King Henry V of England (age 29) commanded the Main Battle. Thomas Camoys 1st Baron Camoys (age 64) commanded the Rearguard.
Richard de Vere 11th Earl of Oxford (age 30) commanded. Humphrey Lancaster 1st Duke Gloucester (age 25) was wounded, and was protected by his brother King Henry V of England (age 29).
Edward York 2nd Duke of York 1st Duke Albemarle (age 42), commander of the Vanguard, was killed; the most senior English casualty. Duke Albemarle aka Aumale, Earl of Rutland and Earl Cork extinct. Richard Plantagenet 3rd Duke York (age 4) inherited his estates including Conisbrough Castle [Map].
John Fortescue (age 35), Dafydd Gam Brecon (age 35) and Edward Burnell (age 44) and Roger Vaughan of Bredwardine (age 38) were killed.
Michael de la Pole 3rd Earl Suffolk (age 21) was killed. His brother William "Jackanapes" de la Pole 1st Duke of Suffolk (age 19) succeeded 4th Earl Suffolk.
The English included: Louis Robbessart (age 25), Richard Beauchamp 13th Earl Warwick (age 33), William Botreaux 3rd Baron Botreaux (age 26), William Bourchier 1st Count Eu (age 41), John Cornwall 1st Baron Fanhope 1st Baron Milbroke (age 51), Edward Courtenay (age 30), Ralph Cromwell 3rd Baron Cromwell (age 12), Thomas Dutton (age 19), Edmund Ferrers 6th Baron Ferrers of Chartley (age 29), Roger Fiennes (age 31), Henry Fitzhugh 3rd Baron Fitzhugh (age 57), John Grey (age 28), John Grey 1st Earl Tankerville (age 31), William Harrington (age 42) as the King's Standard Bearer, Walter Hungerford 1st Baron Hungerford (age 37), Piers Legh (age 26) (wounded), Alfred Longford, Thomas Montagu 1st Count Perche 4th Earl Salisbury (age 27), Thomas Morley 6th Baron Marshal 5th Baron Morley (age 22), John Rodney, Richard Scrope 3rd Baron Scrope of Bolton (age 22), Robert Strelley (age 18), James Tuchet 5th Baron Audley, 2nd Baron Tuchet (age 17), Robert Umfraville (age 52), Thomas West 2nd Baron West (age 35), Robert Willoughby 6th Baron Willoughby (age 30). Thomas Erpingham (age 60) commanded the archers. Thomas Rempston (age 26) was present. Thomas Strickland (age 48) carried the Banner of St George.
Thomas Tunstall (age 57) was killed.
The Welsh included: William ap Thomas "Blue Knight of Gwent" Herbert (age 35), Walter Sais (age 95), Roger Vaughan (age 70) and his son Roger Vaughan (age 5). Owen Tudor (age 15) is believed to have been present as a squire.
The French army suffered significant casualties. Charles Albret (age 46), Philip Valois II Count Nevers (age 26), John of Bar (age 35), Jacques Chatillon (age 48), David Rambures (age 51) and his three sons: Jean Rambures, Hugues Rambures, Philippe Rambures, Waleran Luxemburg (age 60) and Hector de Chartres were killed.
Charles Valois Duke Orléans (age 20) was captured by Richard Waller (age 20) for which he was knighted on the battlefield by King Henry V of England (age 29).
John Bourbon I Duke Bourbon (age 34) and Charles Artois Count Eu (age 21) were captured.
Robert of Bar Count Soissons Count Marle (age 25) was killed. His daughter Jeanne of Bar Countess Soissons succeeded Countess Soissons 1367.
Edward of Bar III Duke of Bar (age 38) was killed. His brother Cardinal Louis of Bar (age 38) succeeded I Duke Bar.
John Valois I Duke Alençon was killed. His son John Valois II Duke Alençon (age 6) succeeded II Duke Alençon.
Frederick Metz I Count Vaudémont (age 47) was killed. His son Antoine Count of Vaudémont (age 15) succeeded Count Vaudémont.
Anthony Valois Duke Brabant (age 31) was killed. His son John Valois IV Duke Brabant (age 12) succeeded IV Duke Brabant. Jacqueline Wittelsbach Duchess Brabant and Gloucester (age 14) by marriage Duchess Brabant.
Jean II Le Maingre "Boucicaut" (age 49) was captured.
Georges de La Trémoille (age 33) was captured.
On 02 Jun 1420 Henry V (age 33) and [his future wife] Catherine of Valois (age 18) were married at Troyes Cathedral [Map]. She the daughter of Charles "Beloved Mad" VI King France (age 51) and Isabeau Wittelsbach Queen Consort France (age 50). He the son of King Henry IV of England and Mary Bohun. They were half third cousin once removed. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Henry III of England.
Around 1430 Owen Tudor (age 30) and Catherine of Valois Queen Consort England (age 28) were married. She the daughter of Charles "Beloved Mad" VI King France and Isabeau Wittelsbach Queen Consort France (age 60). He a great x 4 grandson of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Henry III of England.
On 11 Jun 1430 [his son] Edmund Tudor 1st Earl Richmond was born to Owen Tudor (age 30) and [his wife] Catherine of Valois Queen Consort England (age 28) at Much Hadham Palace, Hertfordshire (which belonged to the Bishops of London). There is speculation that the biological father was Edmund Beaufort 1st or 2nd Duke Somerset (age 24) with whom Catherine of Valois Queen Consort England (age 28) was rumoured to have had an affair. Interesting, perhaps, that he was named Edmund rather than Owen. Interesting that he took the Royal Arms of England differenced. Also interesting that his younger brother was named Jasper; a Persian name meaning 'Keeper of the Treasure'.
Around Nov 1431 [his son] Jasper Tudor 1st Duke Bedford was born to Owen Tudor (age 31) and [his wife] Catherine of Valois Queen Consort England (age 30) at Bishop's Hatfield, Hertfordshire [Map].
On 27 Sep 1433 [his sister-in-law] Joan Valois Duchess Brittany (age 42) died.
On 03 Jan 1437 [his wife] Catherine of Valois Queen Consort England (age 35) died at Bermondsey Abbey [Map]. She had been married aged eighteen to King Henry V of England for two years three months. Their son was [his step-son] King Henry VI of England and II of France (age 15).
After Henry V died she disappears somewhat from the records other than for Parliament to legislate against her marrying without permission, which she then duly did, to Owen Tudor (age 37), and had two sons, the elder of which was father to King Henry VII of England and Ireland.
On 19 Aug 1438 [his former sister-in-law] Marie Valois (age 44) died.
On 23 Apr 1445 [his former step-son] King Henry VI of England and II of France (age 23) and Margaret of Anjou Queen Consort England (age 15) were married at Titchfield Abbey, Hampshire [Map] probably by Bishop William Ayscough (age 50), Bishop of Salisbury. She the daughter of René Valois Anjou I Duke Anjou (age 36) and Isabella Metz Duchess Anjou I Duchess Lorraine (age 45). He the son of King Henry V of England and Catherine of Valois Queen Consort England. They were third cousins.
On 01 Nov 1455 [his son] Edmund Tudor 1st Earl Richmond (age 25) and [his daughter-in-law] Margaret Beaufort Countess Richmond (age 12) were married at Bletsoe Castle [Map]. She by marriage Countess Richmond. She the daughter of John Beaufort 1st Duke Somerset and Margaret Beauchamp Duchess Somerset (age 45). He the son of Owen Tudor (age 55) and Catherine of Valois Queen Consort England. He a great x 5 grandson of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.
Around 1459 [his illegitimate son] David Owen was born illegitimately to Owen Tudor (age 59) at Pembroke Castle [Map].
On 02 Feb 1461 following the battle Owen Tudor (age 61) was beheaded in the Market Place, Hereford [Map]. He was buried thereafter in Greyfriars Church, Hereford in a tomb paid for by his son [his illegitimate son] David Owen (age 2). Somewhat curious that his other son [his son] Jasper Tudor 1st Duke Bedford (age 29) didn't contribute although the political situation may have made it difficult to do so.
Memorial to Owen Tudor (age 61) in the Market Place, Hereford [Map]. Somewhat incongruously between a toddlers merry-go-round and a baked potato stall on the day of our visit.
On 02 Feb 1461 at the Battle of Mortimer's Cross at Mortimer's Cross, Herefordshire [Map] the future King Edward IV of England (age 18) commanded the Yorkist forces including William Hastings 1st Baron Hastings (age 30), John Wenlock 1st Baron Wenlock (age 61), John Tuchet 6th Baron Audley, 3rd Baron Tuchet (age 35), John Savage (age 17) and Roger Vaughan (age 51).
In the Lancastrian army Owen Tudor (age 61) (captured by Roger Vaughan (age 51)) and his son [his son] Jasper Tudor 1st Duke Bedford (age 29) fought as well as James Butler 1st Earl Wiltshire 5th Earl Ormonde (age 40) and Henry Roos. Gruffydd ap Nicholas Deheubarth (age 68) were killed. Watkin Vaughan (age 66) and Henry Wogan (age 59) were killed.
Monument to the Battle of Mortimer's Cross at Mortimer's Cross, Herefordshire [Map]. Note the mistake - Edward IV described as Edward Mortimer. The monument was erected by subscription in 1799.
Gruffydd ap Nicholas Deheubarth: In 1393 he was born to Nicolas ap Philip Deheubarth and Jonet Unknown at Sheffield.
Watkin Vaughan: Around 1395 he was born to Roger Vaughan of Bredwardine and Gwladys ferch Dafydd Gam "Star of Abergavenny" Brecon. Around 1435 Watkin Vaughan and Elinor Wogan were married. The date based on his age being around twenty. The difference in their ages was 29 years.
Henry Wogan: In 1402 he was born to John Wogan at Wiston.
Chronicle of Gregory 1461. 02 Feb 1461. Alle so Edwarde Erle of Marche (age 18), the Duke of Yorke ys sone and heyre, hadde a gre jornaye at Mortymer ys Crosse in Walys the secunde day of Februar nexte soo folowynge, and there he put to flyght the [his son] Erle of Penbroke (age 29), the Erle of Wylteschyre (age 40). And there he toke and slowe of knyghtys and squyers, and of the,a to the nomber of iij M1 [3000] ., &c.
Ande in that jornay was Owyn Tetyr (age 61) take and brought unto Herforde este, an he was be heddyde at the market place [Map], and hys hedde sette a-pone the hygheyste gryce of the market crosse, and a madde woman kembyd hys here and wysche a way the blode of hys face, and she gate candellys and sette a-boute hym brennynge, moo then a C [Note. One hundred]. Thys Owyne Tytyr (age 61) was fadyr unto the Erle of Penbroke (age 29), and hadde weddyd [his former wife] Quene Kateryn, [his former step-son] Kyng Harry the VI (age 39). ys modyr, wenyng and trustyng all eway that he shulde not be hedyd tylle he sawe the axe and the blocke, and whenn that he was in hys dobelet he trustyd on pardon and grace tylle the coler of hys redde vellvet dobbelet was ryppyd of. Then he sayde, "That hede shalle ly on the stocke that was wonte to ly on Quene Kateryns lappe," and put hys herte and mynde holy unto God, and fulle mekely toke hys dethe.
Alle soo the same day that the Erle of Marche (age 18) shulde take hys jornaye towarde Mortymer ys Crosse fro Herforde este [Map]b, he mousterd hys many with owte the towne wallys in a mersche that ys callyd Wyg mersche. And ovyr hym men sayc iij [3] sonnys schynyng.[And over him men say three suns shining. This a reference to the Parhelion which occurred on the morning of the Battle of Mortimer's Cross.]
Note a. So in MS.
Note b. Haverfordwest. [Note. While the note suggests Haverfordwest we believe this is a reference to Hereford?]
Note c. saw.
[his illegitimate son] Edward or Owen Tudor was born illegitimately to Owen Tudor at Pembroke Castle [Map].
John Montfort V Duke Brittany and Joan Valois Duchess Brittany were married. She by marriage Duchess Brittany 1341 War of Sucession. She the daughter of Charles "Beloved Mad" VI King France and Isabeau Wittelsbach Queen Consort France. He the son of John Montfort V Duke Brittany and Joanna of Navarre Queen Consort England. They were second cousins. He a great x 3 grandson of King Henry III of England. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Henry III of England.
Kings Wessex: Great x 12 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 8 Grand Son of Bleddyn ap Cynfyn King Gwynedd King Powys
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 12 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 7 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings England: Great x 4 Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 10 Grand Son of Malcolm III King Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 8 Grand Son of Louis VII King Franks
Kings France: Great x 8 Grand Son of Louis "Fat" VI King France
King Henry VII of England and Ireland x 1
President George Washington x 1
Great x 4 Grandfather: Ednyfed "Fychan aka Younger" Tudor
Great x 3 Grandfather: Goronwy ab Ednyfed Tudor
Great x 4 Grandmother: Gwenllian ferch Rhys Dinefwr
Great x 2 Grandfather: Tudur "Hen aka Elder" Tudor
Great x 1 Grandfather: Goronwy ap Tudur Hen Tudor
GrandFather: Tudur ap Goronwy Tudor
Great x 3 Grandfather: Iorwerth ap Madog Hendwr
Great x 2 Grandfather: Madog ab Iorwerth Hendwr
Great x 1 Grandmother: Gwerfyl verch Madog Hendwr
Father: Maredudd Tudor 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Owain ap Meredudd
Great x 2 Grandfather: Llewelyn ap Owen
Great x 1 Grandfather: Thomas ap Llywelyn Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Theobald of Bar II Count of Bar 4 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry of Bar III Count of Bar 5 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Jeanne Toucy Countess Bar
Great x 2 Grandmother: Eleanor of Bar Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: King Edward "Longshanks" I of England Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Eleanor Plantagenet Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor of Castile Queen Consort England 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
GrandMother: Marged verch Thomas 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England
Owen Tudor 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England