Sir Owen Tudor was a Welsh courtier and the second husband of Catherine of Valois, the widow of the English King Henry V. He originated from a prominent family which traced its lineage back to Ednyfed Fychan, an important figure in the Kingdom of Gwynedd. Historians consider the family of Owen Tudor and other descendants of Fychan to be one of the most powerful families in 13-14th Century Wales.
Owen’s father and uncles were prominent in Owain Glyndwr’s campaign against the English.
Quick facts:
Full name: Owen ap Maredudd ap Tudur (Tudor)
Born: around 1400, Anglesey, Wales
Died: 2nd February 1461, Herefordshire, England
Family: Tudor
Spouse: Catherine of Valois
Children: Edmund Tudor, 1st Earl of Richmond; Jasper Tudor, Duke of Bedford; Edward Tudor; Margaret Tudor
Parents: Maredudd ap Tudur and Margaret ferch Dafydd
Tudor’s early life is relatively unknown with most historians focusing on his family’s role in the Glyndwr Rising. There is some debate as to how he became a member of the English Court, with stories including him being the keeper of Queen Catherine’s wardrobe, an esquire to Henry V or a servant or taster for the royal couple. What is known is that after the Glyndwr Rising, several Welshmen secured positions at court.
Relationship with the queen
Queen Catherine of Valois was left widowed at a young age following the death of Henry V in 1422. Initially, as the Dowager Queen, Catherine remained in the royal household with her son, the new King Henry VI, who was just an infant, before moving to Wallingford Castle when he began his reign.
It is believed that Catherine and Tudor knew each other because of his time in her husband’s court. The pair married and had three sons, Edmund, Jasper and Edward, who were subsequently half brothers to the king and were given legitimate status and titles.
The eldest of their sons, Edmund was born either in Hertfordshire or Bedfordshire and would spend the majority of his life in England. He would be married to Margaret Beaufort, a descendant of John of Gaunt and a distant relative, but would die of the plague just three months before the birth of their only son, Henry.
Their second son Jasper was born at Hatfield. Although he was created the 1st Earl of Pembroke in 1452, he was branded a traitor in 1461. He later became the 1st Duke of Bedford in 1485. He was the second husband of Catherine Woodville, the sister of Elizabeth Woodville, the wife of Edward IV. Jasper would go on to become the protector of his late brother’s wife and his nephew, Henry. Henry was the final claimant of the Lancaster branch of the English monarchy and as such, lived much of his life in exile in France with his uncle Jasper.
The youngest son, Edward was believed to have died young and is buried in Westminster Abbey.
Following the death of Catherine, Owen Tudor fell from favour and lost royal protection. He was subsequently imprisoned in Newgate Prison before escaping and then being recaptured and held at Windsor Castle. The reason for this though is largely unknown.
In 1439, his step son, Henry VI granted him a pardon and restored his previous lands and a generous pension, which also included a position in his court. Edmund and Jasper were also brought into court and were created the Earls of Richmond and Pembroke respectively.
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