We continue Tudor Tuesdays with a very important Welsh figure in our history, Jasper Tudor.
Jasper Tudor was a significant figure in Welsh history. He played a key role in the Wars of the Roses and helped to establish the Tudor dynasty on the English throne. He was also the Earl of Pembroke from 1452 until his death in 1495.
Jasper Tudor was born around 1431 in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, England, but he spent much of his childhood in Pembrokeshire, where his mother, Catherine of Valois, had retired after the death of her husband, King Henry V. Pembrokeshire was an important strategic location in medieval Wales, and it was a hotbed of political intrigue and military conflict. The area was also home to many powerful Welsh nobles, who were often at odds with the English Crown.
Jasper was a loyal supporter of the Lancastrian cause during the Wars of the Roses. He fought in several battles, including the Battle of Bosworth Field, where he was instrumental in the defeat of King Richard III. After the battle, Jasper helped his nephew, Henry Tudor, to claim the throne of England. Henry VII was crowned in 1485, and Jasper was created Duke of Bedford.
When he died, he was buried in St David’s Cathedral in Pembrokeshire. There are several monuments and memorials to him in the county, including a statue in Pembroke Dock and a plaque in St David’s Cathedral.
Jasper Tudor’s connection to Pembrokeshire, Wales, was a defining aspect of his life. His upbringing in the region, his close ties to Welsh nobles, and his military campaigns there all played a significant role in shaping his character and his political career. His legacy in Pembrokeshire is a testament to his enduring influence on the region, and it serves as a reminder of the complex and fascinating history of medieval Wales and England.
Photos by Tudor Nation