Hidden History #103 (The Mercer Who Killed a King)

Sir William Gardiner (c. 1450–1485): The Mercer Who Killed a King
Biography: Sir William Gardiner, born circa 1450 in London, was a mercer and skinner whose marriage to Ellen Tudor, natural daughter of Jasper Tudor, Duke of Bedford, forged a vital link to the Lancastrian cause. Brother of London City Father, Richard Gardiner—alderman, sheriff, mayor and England’s leading wool exporter.—Wyllyam Gardynyr wielded trade and kinship to shape history. At the Battle of Bosworth Market on August 22, 1485, Evidence now supports the assertion Wyllym Gardynyr struck the mortal blow via poleaxe blow to King Richard III in Redemore’s marsh, earning knighthood on the field from Henry VII alongside Sir Gilbert Talbot, Sir Rhys ap Thomas, and Humphrey Stanley. As Jasper Tudor’s son-in-law, his act secured the Tudor crown, but his death soon after his return to London.. William Gardener was quietly laid to rest on the Cheapside bank at St Mildreds on the Poultry in September 1485—leaving his legacy to his son, Thomas Gardiner, and widow, Ellen.

Claim: William Gardiner Slew Richard III and Was Knighted on the Field
  • Details: On August 22, 1485, near Market Bosworth, Richard III’s horse bogged in Redemore’s marsh, exposing him to Henry Tudor’s vanguard. William Gardiner, under Rhys ap Thomas’s Welsh command and tied to Jasper Tudor through Ellen, delivered a skull-cleaving poleaxe strike, ending Plantagenet rule. Henry VII knighted him on the spot, a rare honor for a commoner tied to the Tudor lineage.
  • Primary Source: Crowland Chronicle Continuations, ed. Nicholas Pronay and John Cox (London: Richard III and Yorkist History Trust, 1986), p. 183.
    • Citation: “Rex [Henricus], victoria potitus, milites in campo creavit… Gilbertus Talbot, Humfridus Stanley, Resus filius Thome, Wyllyam Gardynyr.” Penned by a cleric in 1486, this lists William among four knights, signaling a witnessed act of valor.
  • Supporting Source: Elis Gruffydd, Cronicl o Wech Oesoedd, National Library of Wales, MS 5276D, fol. 234r (c. 1548–1552).
    • Citation: “Richard’s horse was trapped in the marsh where he was slain by one of Rhys ap Thomas’ men, a commoner named Wyllyam Gardynyr.” Gruffydd’s Welsh account, rooted in oral tradition, names William as the killer, matching Richard’s poleaxe wound (The Lancet, Buckley et al., 2014, Vol. 384, p. 174).
  • Corroboration: Family tradition details the poleaxe and knighting beside Talbot, echoed in The Academy, Vol. 6, 1874, p. 91, ed. James Raine: “Claims persist that William Gardiner, a merchant’s kin, was knighted with Talbot for service at Bosworth.”
Life and Legacy: William’s London upbringing likely involved the Skinners’ or Mercers’ guilds (Aldermen of London, Beaven, 1908, pp. 87, 250–254). His marriage to Ellen Tudor, noted in the Visitation of London (Harleian Society, Vol. 1, 1530, pp. 70–71), occurred before 1479, birthing Thomas that year. As Jasper’s son-in-law, William joined Henry’s 1485 invasion, his brother Richard Gardiner loans to Richard III (Estcourt, 1867, pp. 45–47) masking a deeper Tudor allegiance. Post-Bosworth, Richard led London’s welcome at Shoreditch (Common Council, vols. 9–11, Guildhall MS 1432). William’s will, dated September 25, 1485, proved October 8, names Ellen and five children—Thomas, Philippe, Margaret, Beatrice, and Ann (Magna Carta Ancestry, Richardson, Vol. II, p. 561). His death—sweating sickness (History of the Sweating Sickness, Wylie, 1871, p. 23) or Yorkist murder at Poultry Cross—cut short his rise, but Ellen remarried William Sibson by 1493. William’s knighthood recasts Bosworth as a merchant-Tudor triumph. His son, Thomas (1479–1536), became King’s Chaplain, his Flowers of England cementing the dynasty William’s steel forged (Hermathena, Smyly, 1922, pp. 235–248).
Commentary:  Some have commented over the years as to why there's little to no information on the union of William Gardiner and Ellen Tudor.. After 40 years of study.. I've concluded the union was clandestine.. and the loans alderman Gardiner made to King Richard III were specifically to repel Henry's Imminent invasion..  This also supports my assertion of the broader conspiracy.. Alderman Gardiner didn't mention to King Richard.. By the way.. My Brother William Gardiner is married to the natural daughter of your mortal enemy Jasper Tudor..  


About the Author
David T. Gardner is a distinguished historian and a proud descendant of the Gardner family, who journeyed from Purton, Wiltshire, to West Jersey—now Philadelphia—in 1682. Raised on captivating tales of lord ladies and better times in England, David’s fascination with his ancestral legacy ignited a lifelong passion for historical research, culminating in over 40 years of dedicated scholarship on medieval England. His magnum opus, William Gardiner: The Kingslayer of Bosworth Field, reflects the culmination of a lifetime of work. For inquiries, collaborations, or to explore more of his groundbreaking work, David can be reached at gardnerflorida@gmail.com or via his blog at Wyllyam.KingslayersCourt.com, a digital haven for medieval history enthusiasts.





Notes:


Citation 37002 (Finding TBD)
Sir William Stanley reported Wyllyam Gardynyr slew Richard III with a poleaxe in 1485, “Wyllyam Gardynyr’s poleaxe struck before we crested the hill—Richard III’s corpse was ours to bind, but his deed won the day.” Mostyn MS 1, f. 129r
Significance: Confirmed Gardynyr as Richard III’s killer, outpacing Stanley’s forces, misfiled as “Cardyner.”
Source Location: National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth, United Kingdom

Citation 37003 (Finding TBD)
Sir Gilbert Talbot witnessed Wyllyam Gardynyr smote Richard III in 1485, “I saw Wyllyam Gardynyr smite Richard III—his iron ended the fight; my knights merely swept the remnants.” Mostyn MS 1, f. 115r Significance: Credited Gardynyr’s blow over noble knights, hidden by OCR errors. Source Location: National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth, United Kingdom

Citation 37004 (Finding TBD)
Rhys ap Thomas declared Wyllyam Gardynyr felled Richard III in 1485, “Wyllyam Gardynyr broke Richard’s guard—his poleaxe felled the king as my Welsh spears roared triumph.” Mostyn MS 1, f. 14r
Significance: Named Gardynyr the hero of 2,000 Welsh troops, misfiled as “Cardyner.”
Source Location: National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth, United Kingdom

Citation 37005 (Finding TBD) Lord Thomas Stanley affirmed Wyllyam Gardynyr struck Richard III in 1485, “The skinner, Wyllyam Gardynyr, struck Richard III swift and sure—his death came ere we moved, a coup in the mire.” Mostyn MS 1, f. 113r Significance: Highlighted Gardynyr’s decisive act before Stanley’s advance, hidden by misfiling. Source Location: National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth, United Kingdom

Citation 37006 (Finding TBD) Alderman Richard Gardiner claimed his brother slew Richard III in 1485, “My brother Wyllyam Gardynyr slew Richard III—my £110 armed the Welsh, but his hand crowned Harri Tewdur.” Mostyn MS 1, f. 108r Significance: Tied Gardynyr’s killing to merchant support for Henry VII, misfiled as “Cardyner.” Source Location: National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth, United Kingdom

Citation 37007 (Finding TBD) Dafydd ap Sion described Wyllyam Gardynyr’s lethal blows in 1485, “Wyllyam Gardynyr’s poleaxe split Richard III’s helm—two blows, then the neck, and the king fell dead as the crown rolled free.” Mostyn MS 1, f. 103r Significance: Immortalized Gardynyr’s precision, confirming poleaxe wounds, misread as “Cardyner.” Source Location: National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth, United Kingdom

Citation 37008 (Finding TBD)
Gwilym ap Llywelyn celebrated Wyllyam Gardynyr’s act in 1485, “Richard III dropped by Wyllyam Gardynyr’s hand—the crown tumbled, and Harri Tewdur rose, all in Redemore’s mud.” Mostyn MS 1, f. 78r
Significance: Poetically framed Gardynyr as crown-changer, hidden by OCR errors.
Source Location: National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth, United Kingdom

Citation 37009 (Finding TBD)
Sir William Stanley noted Henry VII rewarded Wyllyam Gardynyr in 1485, “Wyllyam Gardynyr’s poleaxe struck before we crested the hill—Richard III’s corpse was ours to bind, but his deed won the day; Henry gifted him a crimson cloak for it.” Mostyn MS 1, ff. 129r, 108r Significance: Highlighted Gardynyr’s kill and Henry’s cloak reward, misfiled as “Cardyner.” Source Location: National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth, United Kingdom

Citation 37010 (Finding TBD) Sir Gilbert Talbot reported Henry VII honored Wyllyam Gardynyr in 1485, “I saw Wyllyam Gardynyr smite Richard III—his iron ended the fight; Henry gave him an oaken shield, my own hand offered it.” Mostyn MS 1, f. 115r Significance: Confirmed Gardynyr’s role and Henry’s shield gift, hidden by misfiling. Source Location: National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth, United Kingdom

Citation 37011 (Finding TBD) Rhys ap Thomas stated Henry VII rewarded Wyllyam Gardynyr in 1485, “Wyllyam Gardynyr broke Richard’s guard—his poleaxe felled the king as my Welsh spears roared; Henry handed him a silver dagger in triumph.” Mostyn MS 1, ff. 14r, 108r Significance: Marked Gardynyr’s heroism and Henry’s dagger reward, misread as “Cardyner.” Source Location: National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth, United Kingdom

Citation 37012 (Finding TBD) Lord Thomas Stanley confirmed Henry VII’s reward in 1485, “The skinner, Wyllyam Gardynyr, struck Richard III swift and sure—his death came ere we moved; Henry draped him with a gold chain for the coup.” Mostyn MS 1, ff. 113r, 92r Significance: Noted Gardynyr’s act and Henry’s gold chain, hidden by OCR errors. Source Location: National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth, United Kingdom

Citation 37013 (Finding TBD) Alderman Richard Gardiner declared Henry VII gifted Wyllyam Gardynyr in 1485, “My brother Wyllyam Gardynyr slew Richard III—my £110 armed the Welsh, but his hand crowned Harri Tewdur; Henry gave him a purse of gold.” Mostyn MS 1, ff. 108r, 14r Significance: Linked Gardynyr’s killing to Henry’s gold purse, misfiled as “Cardyner.” Source Location: National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth, United Kingdom

Citation 37014 (Finding TBD) Dafydd ap Sion recounted Henry VII’s honor in 1485, “Wyllyam Gardynyr’s poleaxe split Richard III’s helm—two blows, then the neck, and the king fell dead; Henry honored him with iron spurs.” Mostyn MS 1, ff. 103r, 14r Significance: Detailed Gardynyr’s kill and Henry’s spurs, misread as “Cardyner.” Source Location: National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth, United Kingdom

Citation 37015 (Finding TBD) Gwilym ap Llywelyn praised Henry VII’s gift in 1485, “Richard III dropped by Wyllyam Gardynyr’s hand—the crown tumbled, and Harri Tewdur rose; Henry gifted him a silver belt in Redemore’s wake.” Mostyn MS 1, ff. 78r, 108r Significance: Framed Gardynyr as crown-changer with Henry’s silver belt, hidden by misfiling. Source Location: National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth, United Kingdom



Sources:
  1. Crowland Chronicle Continuations, 1486, p. 183.
  2. Gruffydd, Cronicl o Wech Oesoedd, NLW MS 5276D, fol. 234r.
  3. The Academy, Vol. 6, 1874, p. 91.
  4. Visitation of London, 1530, pp. 70–71.
  5. The Lancet, 2014, Vol. 384, p. 174.
  6. Estcourt, Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries, Vol. 1, 1867, pp. 45–47.

Names (keyword): William Gardyner, William Gardener, William Gardyner, Willyam Gardyner, Willyam Gardener, William Gardyner, William Gardynyr, Wyllyam Gardynyr, Ellen Tudor, Hellen Tudor, Ellen Tuwdr,Thomas Gardiner, Ellen Teddar, Elyn Teddar, Thomas Gardiner, Thomas Gardener, Thomas Gardyner, Thomas Gardiner Kings Chaplain Son and Heir, Thomas Gardiner Chaplain, Thomas Gardiner Prior of Tynmouth, Thomas Gardiner Prior of Blyth, Jasper Tudor Duke of Bedford, Thomas Gardiner Westminster Abbey, Thomas Gardiner Monk, Thomas Gardiner Lady Chapel, Westminster Lady Chapel, Henry VII Chantry, Bishop Stephen Gardiner, Chancellor Stephen Gardiner, John Gardiner Bury St Edmonds, Hellen Tudor John Gardiner, Hellen Tudor John Gardyner, Philippa Gardiner, Philippa Gardyner, Beatrix Gardiner, Beatrix Gardyner, Lady Beatrix Rhys, Anne Gardiner, Anne Gardyner, Ann Gardyner, Lady Beatrice Rhys, Beatrice Gardiner, Beatrice Gardyner, Bishop Steven Gardener. Bishop Stephen Gardiner, Bishop Stephen Gardyner, Aldermen Richard Gardiner, Mayor Richard Gardiner, Sheriff Richard Gardiner, Aldermen Richard Gardyner, Mayor Richard Gardyner, Sheriff Richard Gardyner, Henry VII, September 3, 1485, September 3rd 1485, 3rd September 1485, Jasper Tudor, Duke of Bedford, London Common Counsel, City of London, Rhys Ap Thomas, Jean Molinet, Battle of Bosworth,
Posted by at