1471 - Jasper Tudor

The post today from the Tewkesbury Battlefield Society is about Jasper Tudor, Earl of Pembroke, half-brother of King Henry VI and uncle of the future King Henry VII. One of the few who were lucky in their political and military escapades in these years he was to die reasonably full of years and with plenty of honours as Duke of Bedford in 1495. His marriage to the sister of Queen Elizabeth Woodville and widow of the Duke of Buckingham executed by King Richard III looks like another example of King Henry VII’s highly prudential marriage policy for his relatives and in-laws after Bosworth. There is a brief introduction to his life from Wikipedia at Jasper Tudor

The stained glass figure of him in that and in the TBS post is, of course, nineteenth century -  for one thing he is unlikely to have worn a beard.

May 19th 1471: Where was Jasper Tudor?

Sir Jasper Tudor. 

Stained glass at Cardiff Castle

 (Picture Source)

One of the many ‘what ifs’ connected with this campaign is what would have happened if Margaret’s army had met up with the Welsh forces being brought to her by Sir Jasper Tudor. His movements are not well documented.

Jasper Tudor was a dyed-in-the-wool Lancastrian. Since the execution of Owen Tudor, his father, in 1461, he had spent a lot of time in exile in France. He was present at Amboise when Warwick made peace with Margaret. He came back to England with Warwick’ invasion force and busied himself in Wales, avoiding becoming embroiled in the events which led to the Battle of Barnet, though he was active in the Lancastrian cause. He raised Herefordshire against Edward, who sent Sir Roger Vaughan to try to thwart his efforts.

When Margaret arrived, he was not among those who greeted her, but messages were quickly sent to him ordering him to array troops, and presumably stating a rendezvous time and place. Details are unclear, but the likelihood is that when Margaret’s army was cornered at Tewkesbury Jasper Tudor was marching his force past Chepstow and towards Monmouth. Close enough if Margaret had got into Gloucester, but too far away from Tewkesbury.

When he got news of the defeat at Tewkesbury, he retraced his steps back to south Wales. Edward had other concerns, so did not pursue him but instead commissioned Sir Roger Vaughan to do so ‘a man there both strong of people and of friends to the intent by some guile or engine suddenly to surprise and trap the earl’. This didn’t go well. Jasper’s power was strong in South Wales, despite the reversals in England. He seized Vaughan, a man he had no love for, and had him executed at Chepstow. 

After this, Jasper Tudor retreated to Pembroke, beyond the immediate reach of King Edward.