The Tudors
The Tudors (Tewdwr/Tudur) were a ruling family of England and the British Empire. We have all heard of at least 2 of the Tudors; Henry VIII and Elizabeth I.
While the House of Tudor did not reign long (only 118 yrs), some of them left lasting impressions.
Henry VIII with his six wives and his break with the Catholic Church; Elizabeth I, “the Virgin Queen” and one of the most beloved of monarchs are only two of the Tudors. Now in the correct order of their reigns we have:
- Henry VII (1485-1509)
- Henry VIII (1509-1547)
- Edward VI (1547-1553)
- Jane Seymour (July 1553) (an easily forgotten Monarch, AKA the Nine Days Queen)
- Mary I (1553-1558) AKA Bloody Mary
- Elizabeth I (1558-1603) AKA Virgin Queen, Good Queen Bess, Gloriana
There are many ways of estimating the start of the House of Tudor. Most people believe that Henry VII, born in 1485, started the House of Tudor, but he only started the Royal House of Tudor in England. The House of Tudor was actually begun long before, sometime around 846, and included farmers, courtiers, and even a prince or two – but it was Welsh in origin.
A man who never became a “Royal” is usually accepted as having started the House of Tudor. His name was Owain Mredydd, born in 1385, and he was Welsh. He changed his first name to Owen which better suited the English. He also took his grandfather’s last name of Tudor. Owen Tudor was a soldier descended from a Welsh Prince, Lord Rhys. By taking his grandfather’s name he was more easily recognized as having this lineage which would have been a distinct advantage in those days. He fought in the War of the Roses (1455-1487), called that because of the symbols for the warring houses. The symbol for the House of Lancaster was a red rose and the House of York was represented by the white rose. Owen Tudor was wounded and because of his good service and background he became a courtier of Henry V.
After the death of Henry V, he entered the household of Henry’s widowed Queen, Catherine (Katherine of Valois). Her name had been anglicized upon her marriage to Henry. She was the daughter of the French King Charles VI. Her son became King Henry VI a year after his birth. She and her household (which included Owen Tudor) retired to Wallingford Castle.
Some time around 1428, it is believed, Owen Tudor married Catherine of Valois. Shortly thereafter Parliament, reacting to rumors about them, outlawed widowed Queens from marrying without the consent of the King (who was too young to give permission). There are also tales about the possibility of the marriage never having taken place, although Parliament granted him the privileges of an Englishman (something Welshmen never got) and none of the children were branded as illegitimate. All were considered to be part of the Royal family.
Owen Tudor and Catherine of Valois had approximately 6 children. Historians cannot seem to agree on the exact number. The children were:
- Edmund Tudor became 1st Earl of Richmond.
- Jasper Tudor who became 1st Duke of Bedford.
- Jacina Tudor married Baron Reginald Grey of Wilton.
- Mary Tudor (NOT Henry VIII's sister) who married Thomas Grey.
- An unnamed daughter who became a nun.
- Margaret (Katherine) who died either at birth or sometime in her early years.
There are many stories about how many children Catherine and Owen had – which range from 4 to 8. It is also said that Owen had an illegitimate son named David Tudor who was knighted by King Henry VII in 1485. Owen may have had other illegitimate children as well but, as yet, they remain unknown.Owen Tudor became a monk and eventually was at Westminster Abbey.
References:
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