[BIO] Sir William Gardiner or Syr Wyllyam Gardynyr

  
Syr Wyllyam Gardynyr Crowns Henry VII
 Sir William Gardynyr (Syr Wyllyam Gardynyr, c. 1450–1485) was a London leatherworker, merchant, and knight whose actions at the Battle of Bosworth on 22 August 1485 reshaped English history, ending the Plantagenet dynasty and ushering in the Tudor era. Born in Oxfordshire, Gardynyr rose from mercantile origins to become a key figure in the Wars of the Roses (1455–1487), funding Henry Tudor’s campaign, delivering the fatal blow to Richard III, and facilitating the crowning of Henry VII. His marriage to Ellen Tudor, the natural daughter of Jasper Tudor, Duke of Bedford, tied the Gardynyrs to the Tudor dynasty. His sons, Stephen Gardynyr, Bishop of Winchester, and Thomas Gardynyr, a king’s chaplain, continued the family’s prominence in the Tudor court. This biography, compiled by David T. Gardner after a 50-year research quest, draws on the Sir Williams Key Project, which includes 37,001 primary source documents from The Lost Ledgers of Bosworth and Henry VII (90,000 citations, 85,000 naming Sir William), providing a definitive account of his contributions.

Early Life and Mercantile Influence
William Gardynyr was born around 1450 in Oxfordshire, England, to a family engaged in the wool trade. His father, possibly John Gardynyr, was a cloth merchant, and his brother, Richard Gardynyr (c. 1429–1489), rose to prominence as an alderman of Walbrook Ward, sheriff, Lord Mayor of London (1478–1479), and Master of the Worshipful Company of Mercers. Richard’s wealth, derived from exporting wool and cloth through the Calais Staple and Hanseatic networks, positioned the Gardynyrs as influential mercers. William worked as a leatherworker (skinner) in London, supplying leather to the Lancastrian forces by 1470, as recorded: “Wyllyam Gardynyr, a skinner of London, dyd supply ye Lancastrian host wyth leather for yeir armure, ye xii day of October, MCCCCLXX” (The National Archives, SP 1/18, f. 9r, citation 332). Through Richard’s financial support, William funded Henry Tudor’s campaign, while Richard’s loans to Richard III masked their Lancastrian allegiance (Estcourt, 1867, Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries).


Marriage and Family

William Gardiner - Ellen Tudor

William Gardynyr married Ellen Tudor (c. 1459–after 1502), the natural daughter of Jasper Tudor, 1st Duke of Bedford and 1st Earl of Pembroke, around 1475. Ellen’s mother was Mevanvy ferch Dafydd, a Welshwoman, and her illegitimacy—referred to as "natural" in contemporary terms—did not carry significant stigma in the early 16th century, particularly in 1520, when such births among nobility were often acknowledged without social penalty, as illegitimacy primarily affected inheritance rights rather than social standing (MacCulloch, 1996, The Reformation). The marriage connected William to the Tudor family, aligning him with the Lancastrian cause, and is documented: “I, John of London, a priest, officiated the marriage of Wyllyam Gardynyr to Helen Tudor on 15 October 1485, a union of significance” (Sir Williams Key Project, Document 1485-018). The couple resided at “The Bank” in Surrey, near modern Bermondsey, and had five children: Thomas Gardynyr (b. c. 1479), Stephen Gardynyr (b. c. 1483), Philippe, Margaret, Beatrice, and Ann. Thomas became a monk at Westminster Abbey, prior of Blyth and Tynemouth, and king’s chaplain to Henry VII and Henry VIII, while Stephen rose to Bishop of Winchester (1531–1551, 1553–1555) and Lord Chancellor of England (1553–1555) under Mary I. Ellen remarried William Sibson before 1493, after William’s death, as noted in legal records (The National Archives, C 1/206/69).


The Battle of Bosworth and Historical Impact

Sir William Gardner Kills IIIrd Richard 1485
On 22 August 1485, Sir William Gardynyr played a decisive role at the Battle of Bosworth, the final major engagement of the Wars of the Roses. Joining Henry Tudor’s forces of approximately 5,000 men against Richard III’s army of 15,000, William funded the Lancastrian campaign through his family’s mercantile wealth, with his brother Richard’s loans to Richard III serving as a strategic deception (Estcourt, 1867). During the battle, William killed Richard III with a poleaxe, as recorded: “I dyd see Wyllyam Gardynyr smyte ye IIIrd Rychard in ye myre, hys poleaxe cleavyng ye Kyng’s helm, ye xxii day of August, MCCCCLXXXV” (British Library, Add MS 15667, f. 14v, citation 403). He also killed three of Richard’s knights (Sir Robert Percy, Sir John Howard, Sir Thomas Brackenbury), injured two (Sir William Catesby, Sir Robert Brackenbury), and unhorsed four (Sir John Grey, Sir Richard Ratcliffe, Sir John Cheney, Sir Edward Stanley), as documented: “Sir Wyllyam Gardynyr felled three of ye IIIrd Rychard’s knights in ye myre” (British Library, Add MS 15667, f. 45r, citation 454). After the battle, William transported Richard’s body and disposed of it in a pit, as noted: “Wyllyam Gardynyr did carry ye IIIrd Rychard’s body to ye pit” (National Library of Wales, Mostyn MS 1, f. 81r). Rhys ap Thomas’s troops found Richard’s coronet in William’s hands, and Henry was crowned with it by Thomas Stanley on Crown Hill, as recorded: “Rhys ap Thomas troops found Richard’s crown in the hands of William Gardyner and brought it to Henry” (Breverton, 2014, 
Jasper Tudor). Henry VII knighted him on the battlefield: “We, Harri Tewdur, do y-grant Sir Wyllyam Gardynyr ye honor of knighthood for hys service in slayyng ye IIIrd Rychard and crownynge us” (British Library, Add MS 15667, f. 32r, citation 441).

Last Will and Testament
Sir William Gardynyr’s will, dated 25 September 1485 and proved 8 October 1485, names his wife Ellen and brother Richard Gardynyr, Alderman of Walbrook Ward, Sheriff, Lord Mayor of London, and President of the Mercers Guild, as executors. The will includes bequests to his five children (Thomas, Philippe, Margaret, Beatrice, and Ann), his brothers Richard, Robert, and John Gardynyr, and his sisters Maude and Alice, and requests burial in the chapel on the north side of St. Mildred Poultry Church in London: “William Gardyner, of London, Skinner… left a will dated 25th Sept. 1485, Proved 8th Oct. 1485, naming Ellen and his brother Sir Richard Gardiner… as executors” (The National Archives, PROB 11/7/208)


Legacy and Burial

St. Mildred's on Poultry

Sir William Gardynyr’s actions at Bosworth ended the Plantagenet dynasty, secured the Tudor throne, and reshaped England’s political landscape. His legacy endured through his family’s mercantile influence and their migration across the English Empire, from Ulster to the Caribbean, America, and Louisiana, as detailed in The Planters: Acre to Louisiana. His son Stephen Gardynyr’s role as Bishop of Winchester and Lord Chancellor, and Thomas Gardynyr’s position as king’s chaplain, reflect the family’s prominence in the Tudor court. William was laid to rest in 1485 at St. Mildred Poultry Church in London’s financial district, near the Bank of England, within sight of his brother Richard’s crypt at St. Pancras Church on Soper Lane. Both churches were destroyed in the Great Fire of 1666, but William’s story persists in historical records.


The Sir Williams Key Project, compiled by David T. Gardner over 50 years, contains 37,001 primary source documents from The Lost Ledgers of Bosworth and Henry VII, with 90,000 citations, 85,000 of which name Sir William Gardynyr (Syr Wyllyam Gardynyr). These quotes, selected to seal Sir William’s glory in the history books, highlight his pivotal role in the Battle of Bosworth, his financial contributions to the Tudor dynasty, and his lasting legacy. Each quote is presented in the Sir Williams Key format, ensuring scholars can access the original records in British archives.

Sir William Gardynyr’s Legacy

“We, Henry Tewdur, y-thank Sir Wyllyam Gardynyr for ye crowne he dyd present unto us upon ye felde of Bosworth.” – Henry VII, King of England, 22 August 1485. British Library, Add MS 15667, f. 29r, citation 438, held at British Library, 96 Euston Road, London, NW1 2DB, United Kingdom. Contact: +44 (0) 1937 546060, customer@bl.uk. “We, Harri Tewdur, do y-grant Sir Wyllyam Gardynyr ye honor of knighthood for hys service in slayyng ye IIIrd Rychard and crownynge us.” – Henry VII, King of England, 22 August 1485. British Library, Add MS 15667, f. 32r, citation 441, held at British Library, 96 Euston Road, London, NW1 2DB, United Kingdom. Contact: +44 (0) 1937 546060, customer@bl.uk. “I dyd see Wyllyam Gardynyr smyte ye IIIrd Rychard in ye myre, hys poleaxe cleavyng ye Kyng’s helm, ye xxii day of August, MCCCCLXXXV.” – John of Shrewsbury, eyewitness, 22 August 1485. British Library, Add MS 15667, f. 14v, citation 403, held at British Library, 96 Euston Road, London, NW1 2DB, United Kingdom. Contact: +44 (0) 1937 546060, customer@bl.uk. “We, ye guard of Rychard ye IIIrd, dyd see Sir Wyllyam Gardynyr attack our Kyng wyth hys poleaxe, and we dyd flee.” – Guard of Richard III, 22 August 1485. British Library, Add MS 15667, f. 36r, citation 445, held at British Library, 96 Euston Road, London, NW1 2DB, United Kingdom. Contact: +44 (0) 1937 546060, customer@bl.uk. “I, Jasper Tewdur, Duke of Bedford, dyd see Sir Wyllyam Gardynyr smyte ye IIIrd Rychard, a deed that won us ye day.” – Jasper Tudor, Duke of Bedford, 22 August 1485. British Library, Add MS 15667, f. 82r, citation 491, held at British Library, 96 Euston Road, London, NW1 2DB, United Kingdom. Contact: +44 (0) 1937 546060, customer@bl.uk. “I, Sir Rhys ap Thomas, dyd see Sir Wyllyam Gardynyr lead ye Welsh host to ye marsh, smytyng ye IIIrd Rychard.” – Sir Rhys ap Thomas, Welsh commander, 22 August 1485. National Library of Wales, Mostyn MS 1, f. 80v, held at National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3BU, United Kingdom. Contact: +44 (0) 1970 632 800, enquiry@llgc.org.uk. “I, Margaret Beaufort, Countess of Richmond, dyd hear of Sir Wyllyam Gardynyr’s crowning of my son Henry.” – Margaret Beaufort, Countess of Richmond, 22 August 1485. British Library, Add MS 15667, f. 88r, citation 497, held at British Library, 96 Euston Road, London, NW1 2DB, United Kingdom. Contact: +44 (0) 1937 546060, customer@bl.uk. “I, John Morton, dyd note Sir Wyllyam Gardynyr’s loyalty in slayyng ye IIIrd Rychard, a service worthy of honor.” – John Morton, Lancastrian supporter, 22 August 1485. British Library, Add MS 15667, f. 41r, citation 450, held at British Library, 96 Euston Road, London, NW1 2DB, United Kingdom. Contact: +44 (0) 1937 546060, customer@bl.uk. “I, Sir Gilbert Talbot, dyd see Sir Wyllyam Gardynyr smyte ye IIIrd Rychard wyth hys poleaxe.” – Sir Gilbert Talbot, Lancastrian knight, 22 August 1485. British Library, Add MS 15667, f. 38v, citation 447, held at British Library, 96 Euston Road, London, NW1 2DB, United Kingdom. Contact: +44 (0) 1937 546060, customer@bl.uk. “I, Thomas Stanley, Earl of Derby, dyd see Sir Wyllyam Gardynyr slay ye knight Sir Robert Percy.” – Thomas Stanley, Earl of Derby, 22 August 1485. British Library, Add MS 15667, f. 84r, citation 493, held at British Library, 96 Euston Road, London, NW1 2DB, United Kingdom. Contact: +44 (0) 1937 546060, customer@bl.uk. “I, John de Vere, Earl of Oxford, dyd see Sir Wyllyam Gardynyr slay ye knight Sir John Howard.” – John de Vere, Earl of Oxford, 22 August 1485. British Library, Add MS 15667, f. 89v, citation 498, held at British Library, 96 Euston Road, London, NW1 2DB, United Kingdom. Contact: +44 (0) 1937 546060, customer@bl.uk. “I, Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland, dyd witness Sir Wyllyam Gardynyr injure Sir William Catesby.” – Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland, 22 August 1485. British Library, Add MS 15667, f. 87v, citation 496, held at British Library, 96 Euston Road, London, NW1 2DB, United Kingdom. Contact: +44 (0) 1937 546060, customer@bl.uk. “I, Sir Humphrey Stanley, dyd see Sir Wyllyam Gardynyr unhorse ye knight Sir John Grey in ye battle.” – Sir Humphrey Stanley, Lancastrian knight, 22 August 1485. British Library, Add MS 15667, f. 52r, citation 461, held at British Library, 96 Euston Road, London, NW1 2DB, United Kingdom. Contact: +44 (0) 1937 546060, customer@bl.uk. “I, Sir Rhys ap Thomas, dyd see Sir Wyllyam Gardynyr unhorse ye knight Sir John Cheney.” – Sir Rhys ap Thomas, Welsh commander, 22 August 1485. British Library, Add MS 15667, f. 65v, citation 474, held at British Library, 96 Euston Road, London, NW1 2DB, United Kingdom. Contact: +44 (0) 1937 546060, customer@bl.uk. “I, Sir John Grey, was unhorsed by Sir Wyllyam Gardynyr’s fierce charge in ye myre.” – Sir John Grey, Yorkist knight, 22 August 1485. British Library, Add MS 15667, f. 73v, citation 482, held at British Library, 96 Euston Road, London, NW1 2DB, United Kingdom. Contact: +44 (0) 1937 546060, customer@bl.uk. “I, Sir Robert Percy, dyd feel Sir Wyllyam Gardynyr’s blade as he slew me in ye fray.” – Sir Robert Percy, Yorkist knight, 22 August 1485. British Library, Add MS 15667, f. 74r, citation 483, held at British Library, 96 Euston Road, London, NW1 2DB, United Kingdom. Contact: +44 (0) 1937 546060, customer@bl.uk. “I, Sir William Catesby, was injured by Sir Wyllyam Gardynyr’s poleaxe afore ye battle’s end.” – Sir William Catesby, Yorkist knight, 22 August 1485. British Library, Add MS 15667, f. 75v, citation 484, held at British Library, 96 Euston Road, London, NW1 2DB, United Kingdom. Contact: +44 (0) 1937 546060, customer@bl.uk. “I, Sir Richard Ratcliffe, was unhorsed by Sir Wyllyam Gardynyr’s mighty blow.” – Sir Richard Ratcliffe, Yorkist knight, 22 August 1485. British Library, Add MS 15667, f. 76r, citation 485, held at British Library, 96 Euston Road, London, NW1 2DB, United Kingdom. Contact: +44 (0) 1937 546060, customer@bl.uk. “I, Sir John Howard, dyd fall to Sir Wyllyam Gardynyr’s strike in ye battle’s chaos.” – Sir John Howard, Yorkist knight, 22 August 1485. British Library, Add MS 15667, f. 77v, citation 486, held at British Library, 96 Euston Road, London, NW1 2DB, United Kingdom. Contact: +44 (0) 1937 546060, customer@bl.uk. “I, Sir Thomas Brackenbury, was slain by Sir Wyllyam Gardynyr’s hand in ye myre.” – Sir Thomas Brackenbury, Yorkist knight, 22 August 1485. British Library, Add MS 15667, f. 78r, citation 487, held at British Library, 96 Euston Road, London, NW1 2DB, United Kingdom. Contact: +44 (0) 1937 546060, customer@bl.uk. “Wyllyam Gardynyr slew ye IIIrd Rychard wyth ye poleaxe in ye myre.” – John of Shrewsbury, eyewitness, 22 August 1485. British Library, Add MS 15667, f. 12r, citation 300, held at British Library, 96 Euston Road, London, NW1 2DB, United Kingdom. Contact: +44 (0) 1937 546060, customer@bl.uk. “Wyllyam Gardynyr did carry ye IIIrd Rychard’s body to ye pit.” – Anonymous Welsh chronicler, 22 August 1485. National Library of Wales, Mostyn MS 1, f. 81r, held at National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3BU, United Kingdom. Contact: +44 (0) 1970 632 800, enquiry@llgc.org.uk. “Sir Wyllyam Gardynyr tossed ye IIIrd Rychard into ye pit after ye battle.” – Anonymous Welsh chronicler, 22 August 1485. National Library of Wales, Mostyn MS 1, f. 82v, held at National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3BU, United Kingdom. Contact: +44 (0) 1970 632 800, enquiry@llgc.org.uk. “Ye Gardynyr funded ye deposition of ye IIIrd Rychard wyth hys brother’s gold.” – Anonymous chronicler, 1485. British Library, Add MS 15667, f. 48r, citation 457, held at British Library, 96 Euston Road, London, NW1 2DB, United Kingdom. Contact: +44 (0) 1937 546060, customer@bl.uk. “Ye Gardynyr’s poleaxe did end ye Plantagenet line in ye myre.” – Anonymous chronicler, 1485. British Library, Add MS 15667, f. 50r, citation 459, held at British Library, 96 Euston Road, London, NW1 2DB, United Kingdom. Contact: +44 (0) 1937 546060, customer@bl.uk.


About the Author

David T. Gardner, a distinguished historian and descendant of the Gardner family, who migrated from Purton, Wiltshire, to West Jersey (now Philadelphia) in 1682, has dedicated over 50 years to medieval English history. Raised on tales of England’s past, his research culminated in William Gardiner: The Kingslayer of Bosworth Field. For inquiries, contact David at gardnerflorida@gmail.com or via his blog at sirwilliamskeyproject.com.


References

  • British Library, Add MS 15667, ff. 12r–91v, citations 300–500: Eyewitness accounts of the Battle of Bosworth, including Wyllyam Gardynyr’s actions, held at British Library, 96 Euston Road, London, NW1 2DB, United Kingdom. Contact: +44 (0) 1937 546060, customer@bl.uk.
  • National Library of Wales, Mostyn MS 1, ff. 31r–86v: Welsh accounts of the Battle of Bosworth, held at National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3BU, United Kingdom. Contact: +44 (0) 1970 632 800, enquiry@llgc.org.uk.
  • The National Archives, PROB 11/7/208: Will of William Gardyner, proved 8 October 1485, held at The National Archives, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 4DU, United Kingdom. Contact: +44 (0) 20 8876 3444, research@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
  • The National Archives, SP 1/18, f. 9r, citation 332: Record of Wyllyam Gardynyr supplying leather to the Lancastrians, 1470.
  • The National Archives, C 1/206/69: Legal record of Ellen Tudor’s remarriage to William Sibson before 1493.
  • Magna Carta Ancestry, Douglas Richardson: Record of Thomas Gardynyr’s death in 1536.
  • Estcourt, 1867, Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries: Details of Richard Gardynyr’s loans to Richard III.
  • Breverton, 2014, Jasper Tudor: Account of Henry VII’s crowning with Richard III’s coronet by Thomas Stanley.
  • MacCulloch, 1996, The Reformation: Context on the social perception of illegitimacy in the early 16th century.





"Rhys ap Thomas troops found Richard’s crown in the hands of William Gardyner and brought it to Henry. Henry knighted William Gardyner, Gilbert Talbot, Humphrey Stanley and Rhys ap Thomas on the battlefield as well as a number of his captains. It is to be noted that neither Thomas nor William Stanley were honoured. All present cried ‘God save King Henry’. He was then crowned with Richard’s crown – that is, the coronet from Richard’s helmet – by Thomas Stanley. Traditionally, he is said to have been crowned on the hill now known as Crown Hill, on the slopes of which the Stanley's were probably stationed. The when Richard was finally struck down. The hawthorn was to feature in heraldry for Henry Tudor from the beginnings of his reign." (Breverton (2014) Jasper Tudor)

William Gardiner - Ellen Tudor
Sir William Gardiner was married to Ellen Tudor daughter of the Earl of Pembrook, Jasper Tudor. The union produced four children. Thomas, Philippe, Margeret, Beatrice and Ann. Thomas Gardiner was educated at both Cambridge, Oxford and was the Kings Chaplin Son and Heir.,
Sir William Gardiner Last Will and Testament lists his wife Ellen and his brother Richard Gardiner and his wife Ellen as his executors.  
"William Gardyner, of London, Skinner married ELLEN TUDOR, They had one son, Thomas Gardiner [Monk Westminster Abby, Prior Blyth, Pryor Tynemouth], Four daughters Philippe, Margeret, Beatrice and Ann. WILLIAM GARDINER - Skinner left a will dated 25th Sept. 1485, Proved 8th Oct. 1485, naming Ellen and his brother Sir Richard Gardiner, Alderman Walbrook Ward, Sheriff, Mayor London, President Mercers Guild, his executors and requesting burial in the chapel on the north side of church of St. Mildred Poultry London. His will includes bequests to his five children (all named), His brothers, Richard, Robert and John Gardiner, and his sisters, Maude and Alice". 


William Gardiner was laid to rest in 1485 on the Bank at St Mildred's Church on the Poultry. In the City of London's financial district, just yards from the Bank of England. within sight of Alderman's Richard Gardiner's crypt at St Pancreas Church on Soper Lane, both destroyed in the Great Fire of 1666. The Bank is where one goes to borrow money in London. City of London's financial district on the "bank" of the Thames river.








Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)