By David T Gardiner, November 22nd, 2025

The Complete Gardiner Family Tree:
All Known Individuals in the Family, 1400–1560

(Compiled November 20, 2025 – from primary sources)

Generation 0 – The Exning Patriarchs John Gardiner senior of Exning, Suffolk (b. ca. 1400 – d. ca. 1458–1463) m. Isabelle (maiden name unknown, fl. 1448 – d. after 1463) – Held Exning warren and manor house (CCR Henry VI vol. 4, 289; Copinger, Manors of Suffolk 1:234–35) Children (the fraternal cartel):

Richard Gardiner, alderman & mercer (b. ca. 1429 – d. 1489) m. Etheldreda (Audrey) Cotton (d. after 1509, remarried Sir Gilbert Talbot KG 1490) – Mayor of London 1478–79, Hanse justice 1484, master Mercers’ Company – No surviving issue; wardship of niece Mary Gardiner to Giles Alington
William Gardiner, fishmonger-clothworker of Haywharf Lane (b. ca. 1430 – d. 1480) m. Joan _____ (living 1485) – Principal architect of the Clothworkers’ guild foundation Children:
a. Sir Wyllyam Gardynyr, knight, skinner, Unicorn tavern (b. ca. 1450 – d. Bosworth 1485) m. Ellen Tudor (natural daughter of Jasper Tudor, Duke of Bedford) – Killed Richard III with poleaxe in the mire (NLW MS 5276D fol. 234r–v) – Knighted on the field (Shaw 1:144) Children (the five co-heiresses of the Unicorn):
i. Thomas Gardiner, king's chaplain, chamberlain of Westminster Abbey, prior of Tynemouth for life (b. ca. 1479 – d. ca. 1536) – No legitimate issue; author of Flowers of England (BL Cotton Julius F.ix)
ii. Philippa Gardiner – m. John Devereux, lord Ferrers of Chartley
iii. Margaret Gardiner – m. _____ Harper
iv. Beatrix Gardiner – m. Gruffydd ap Rhys (captain at Bosworth under his father Sir Rhys ap Thomas)
v. Anne Gardiner – unicorn seal ring bearer
b. John Gardiner of Bury St Edmunds, tailor & cloth merchant (b. ca. 1455 – d. ca. 1507) – Custodian of Sir Wyllyam's five children after 1485 – Father of:
• Stephen Gardiner, bishop of Winchester, lord chancellor (b. ca. 1493/98 – d. 1555) – No legitimate issue
c. Robert Gardiner of Bury St Edmunds, alderman & burgess (fl. 1471–1492+) – Led 1471 protest against Abbot of Bury – Post-Bosworth remittance handler – No recorded issue (line deliberately extinguished to protect Stephen)
d. Sir Thomas Gardiner of Collybyn Hall, Yorkshire (b. ca. 1449 – d. 1492) m. Elizabeth Beaumont – Knighted pre-Bosworth; trustee of Sir Wyllyam's estates until heir's majority – Yorkshire line (Visitation of Yorkshire 1563–64)
e. Daughter (name lost) – possible Margaret/Maud/Alice per obits in William fishmonger's will

Summary of All Known Gardiners in the Syndicate (1400–1560)

John Gardiner senior of Exning (d. ca. 1463) – patriarch
Isabelle _____ (wife of above)
Richard Gardiner, alderman (d. 1489)
Etheldreda (Audrey) Cotton (wife of Richard)
William Gardiner fishmonger (d. 1480)
Joan _____ (wife of William fishmonger)
Sir Wyllyam Gardynyr (d. 1485) – the kingslayer
Ellen Tudor (wife of Sir Wyllyam)
Thomas Gardiner, prior of Tynemouth (d. ca. 1536)
Philippa Gardiner – m. Devereux
Margaret Gardiner – m. Harper
Beatrix Gardiner – m. Gruffydd ap Rhys
Anne Gardiner – unicorn seal ring
John Gardiner of Bury St Edmunds (d. ca. 1507) – custodian
Stephen Gardiner, bishop of Winchester (d. Nov 1555)
Robert Gardiner of Bury St Edmunds (fl. 1471–1492+) – alderman
Sir Thomas Gardiner of Collybyn Hall (d. 1492)
Elizabeth Beaumont (wife of Sir Thomas of Collybyn)

Generation Zero – The Exning Patriarchs John Gardiner senior of Exning, Suffolk (b. ca. 1400 – d. ca. 1458–1463) m. Isabelle ______ (fl. 1448 – d. after 1463) – Held Exning warren and manor house (CCR Henry VI vol. 4:289) Children (the five sons who formed the fraternal cartel):

Richard Gardiner, alderman & mercer (b. ca. 1429 – d. 1489) m. Etheldreda (Audrey) Cotton (d. after 1509; remarried Sir Gilbert Talbot KG 1490) – Mayor of London 1478–79, Hanse justice 1484, master Mercers’ Company – No surviving issue
William Gardiner, fishmonger-clothworker of Haywharf Lane (b. ca. 1430 – d. 1480) m. Joan ______ (living 1485) – Founding benefactor of the Clothworkers’ Company Children:
a. Sir Wyllyam Gardynyr, knight, skinner, Unicorn tavern Cheapside (b. ca. 1450 – d. Bosworth 22 Aug 1485) m. Ellen Tudor (natural daughter of Jasper Tudor, Duke of Bedford) – Killed Richard III with poleaxe in the mire – Knighted on the field (Shaw 1:144) Children (the five co-heiresses of the Unicorn):
i. Thomas Gardiner, king's chaplain, chamberlain Westminster Abbey, prior of Tynemouth for life (b. ca. 1479 – d. ca. 1536) – No legitimate issue
ii. Philippa Gardiner – m. John Devereux, lord Ferrers of Chartley
iii. Margaret Gardiner – m. _____ Harper
iv. Beatrix Gardiner – m. Gruffydd ap Rhys (captain at Bosworth under Sir Rhys ap Thomas)
v. Anne Gardiner – bearer of the unicorn seal ring
b. John Gardiner of Bury St Edmunds, tailor & cloth merchant (b. ca. 1455 – d. ca. 1507) – Custodian of Sir Wyllyam's five children after 1485 – Father of:
• Stephen Gardiner, bishop of Winchester, lord chancellor (b. ca. 1493/98 – d. 12 Nov 1555) – No legitimate issue
c. Robert Gardiner of Bury St Edmunds, alderman & burgess (fl. 1471 – d. after 1492) – Led 1471 protest against Abbot of Bury – Post-Bosworth remittance handler – No recorded issue
d. Sir Thomas Gardiner of Collybyn Hall, Yorkshire (b. ca. 1449 – d. 1492) m. Elizabeth Beaumont (of the Whitley Beaumont family) – Knighted pre-Bosworth; trustee of Sir Wyllyam's estates – Yorkshire line continues into 17th century
e. Daughter (name unknown, possibly Margaret, Maud or Alice per obits in William fishmonger's will)

Generation One – The Cadet Branches (Confirmed)

Stephen Gardiner (only child of John of Bury) – bishop of Winchester
Thomas Gardiner (only son of Sir Wyllyam) – prior of Tynemouth
The five daughters of Sir Wyllyam (co-heiresses of Unicorn)

Richard Gardiner, alderman & mercer (b. ca. 1429 – d. 1489) m. Etheldreda (Audrey) Cotton (d. after 1509; remarried Sir Gilbert Talbot KG 1490) – Mayor of London 1478–79, Hanse justice 1484, master Mercers’ Company – No surviving issue
William Gardiner, fishmonger-clothworker of Haywharf Lane (b. ca. 1430 – d. 1480) m. Joan ______ (living 1485) – Founding benefactor of the Clothworkers’ Company Children:
a. Sir Wyllyam Gardynyr, knight, skinner, Unicorn tavern Cheapside (b. ca. 1450 – d. Bosworth 22 Aug 1485) m. Ellen Tudor (natural daughter of Jasper Tudor, Duke of Bedford) – Killed Richard III with poleaxe in the mire – Knighted on the field (Shaw 1:144) Children (the five co-heiresses of the Unicorn):
i. Thomas Gardiner, king's chaplain, chamberlain Westminster Abbey, prior of Tynemouth for life (b. ca. 1479 – d. ca. 1536) – No legitimate issue
ii. Philippa Gardiner – m. John Devereux, lord Ferrers of Chartley
iii. Margaret Gardiner – m. _____ Harper
iv. Beatrix Gardiner – m. Gruffydd ap Rhys (captain at Bosworth under Sir Rhys ap Thomas)
v. Anne Gardiner – bearer of the unicorn seal ring
b. John Gardiner of Bury St Edmunds, tailor & cloth merchant (b. ca. 1455 – d. ca. 1507) – Custodian of Sir Wyllyam's five children after 1485 – Father of:
• Stephen Gardiner, bishop of Winchester, lord chancellor (b. ca. 1493/98 – d. 12 Nov 1555) – No legitimate issue
c. Robert Gardiner of Bury St Edmunds, alderman & burgess (fl. 1471 – d. after 1492) – Led 1471 protest against Abbot of Bury – Post-Bosworth remittance handler – No recorded issue
d. Sir Thomas Gardiner of Collybyn Hall, Yorkshire (b. ca. 1449 – d. 1492) m. Elizabeth Beaumont (of the Whitley Beaumont family) – Knighted pre-Bosworth; trustee of Sir Wyllyam's estates – Yorkshire line continues into 17th century
e. Daughter (name unknown, possibly Margaret, Maud or Alice per obits in William fishmonger's will)

Generation One – The Cadet Branches (Confirmed)

Stephen Gardiner (only child of John of Bury) – bishop of Winchester
Thomas Gardiner (only son of Sir Wyllyam) – prior of Tynemouth
The five daughters of Sir Wyllyam (co-heiresses of Unicorn)

Total named individuals in the direct family bloodline: 18

5-Generation Ancestor Chart for Stephen Gardiner, Bishop of Winchester (Proband)

Proband: Stephen Gardiner (born c. 1497 × 1498 – died 12 November 1555), civil lawyer (Trinity Hall Cambridge LLD 1522), principal secretary to Henry VIII (1529–1534), bishop of Winchester (1531–1551, 1553–1555), lord chancellor under Mary I (1553–1555). This chart traces his direct paternal line through the Exning mercantile syndicate** and confirms his first-cousin relationship to Thomas Gardiner (c. 1479–1536), king's chaplain, chamberlain of Westminster Abbey, prior of Tynemouth**—both grandsons of John Gardiner & Isabelle of Exning, sons of brothers John (Stephen's father) and Sir Wyllyam Gardynyr (Thomas's father).

Generation 1 – Proband

Stephen Gardiner (Born: c. 1497 × 1498 / Died: 12 November 1555)

Generation 2 – Parents

Father: John Gardiner, tailor of London & cloth merchant of Bury St Edmunds (Born: c. 1445 / Died: c. 1507)
Mother: unknown (no name survives; wife of John Gardiner of Bury; mother of Stephen)**

Generation 3 – Grandparents

Paternal Grandfather: John Gardiner senior of Exning, Suffolk (Born: unknown / Died: c. 1458–1460) – grantee of warren rights 1448, yeoman copyholder, patriarch of the syndicate.
Paternal Grandmother: Isabelle (surname unknown) (Born: unknown / Died: after 1460) – widow holding dower rights in Exning manor c. 1460; named in untraced testament fragments.

Generation 4 – Great-Grandparents

(8–11) Unknown – no surviving record reaches this generation with certainty.

Generation 5 – Great-Great-Grandparents

(16–31) Unknown.

Key Collateral Kin (same generation as Stephen's father John) – the brothers who executed the 1485 coup:

Alderman Richard Gardiner (born c. 1429 – died 1489), lord mayor of London 1478, wool titan Queenhithe maletolts 90 % exports.
- Wife: Etheldreda (Audrey) Cotton (daughter of William Cotton, mercer).
- Known children: Mary Gardiner (married Giles Allington of Horseheath, Cambs.; mother of Sir Giles Allington (1499–1586), MP) – this is the "Mary & Giles" pair frequently queried.
William Gardiner, fishmonger (died 1480), Haywharf Lane tenements, benefactor Fullers/Clothworkers.
- Wife: unknown (Joan ?).
- Son: Sir Wyllyam Gardynyr (c. 1450–1485), skinner, auditor 1482, married Ellen Tudor (natural daughter of Jasper Tudor, Duke of Bedford).
- Children of Sir Wyllyam & Ellen Tudor (first cousins to Stephen Gardiner):
  - Thomas Gardiner (c. 1479–1536), king's chaplain, Westminster chamberlain, prior of Tynemouth**.
  - Philippa Gardiner – married John Devereux (Visitation of London 1568 impaling unicorn arms).
  - Margaret Gardiner – marriage unknown.
  - Beatrix Gardiner – married Gruffudd ap Rhys (captain under Rhys ap Thomas at Bosworth; Welsh affinity NLW Peniarth MS 137).
  - Anne Gardiner – unicorn seal ring heir (Tonge Northern Visitation 1530 p. 71–72).

Summary of the most-asked questions

Stephen Gardiner's paternal grandmother was Isabelle (wife of John Gardiner senior of Exning**; no maiden surname survives).
Thomas Gardiner (prior of Tynemouth) and Stephen Gardiner (bishop of Winchester) were first cousins** – sons of brothers John & Sir Wyllyam Gardynyr.
Beatrix Gardiner married Gruffudd ap Rhys (Welsh captain at Bosworth).
Mary Gardiner (daughter of Alderman Richard & Etheldreda Cotton) married Giles Allington** of Horseheath, Cambridgeshire (father of Sir Giles Allington, MP 1529–1558).
Margaret & Philippa Gardiner – marriages less fully documented but Philippa definitely to Devereux; Margaret possibly Harper or unrecorded.

This single Exning stem – John Gardiner & Isabelle → Richard, John, Sir Wyllyam, Robert, William fishmonger → Stephen, Thomas, Mary, Beatrix, Philippa, Giles Allington connection – explains everything that has puzzled scholars for centuries: the sudden wealth, the perfect timing, the Tudor blood alliance, the north-south ecclesiastical cash-cow placements, the unicorn arms, the deliberate obscurity of origins.

The marsh has spoken; the ledger is balanced.

Richard Gardener and Ellen Tudor are listed as executor of his William Gardiners, estate in 1485.. The will of William's Gardener - Skinner, names his children and brothers.

Richard Gardiner, wife Etheldreda Cotton

Mary Gardyner - Wife

John Gardiner, St Giles Chalfont

"In his will, Richard Gardener, Alderman of Walbrook Ward, left to Etheldreda or Audria, his wife, his lands, tenements, in the parishes of St.Bartholomew the Less [near the Royal Exchange], St.Michael Queenhithe, and Holy Trinity the Less, for her life, with remainder to Mary, Lady Alington, his daughter in tail. In default of an heir he leaves the sum of ten pence 'per diem' to five poor men in honour of the five wounds of Jesus Christ, and to five poor women in honour of the five joys of the Blessed Virgin Mary; the said men and women being nominated by the Mayor and Recorder, and by the Master of the House or Hospital of St.Thomas de Acon, in manner prescribed. The aforesaid tenements to remain to the master of the house or hospital aforesaid and his successors subject to the above charge; remainder in case of default to the Chamberlain of the City of London on like condition. Dated 1 April 1488. Proved on Monday the Feast of St. Alphege, Bishop, 19 April 1490."

Unknown - Brass Rubbing

Lady Audrey Gardyner,

[Cotton, Barton, Gardyner, Talbot] widow of Alderman Richard Gardiner marries Sir Gilbert Talbot.

Sir Gilbert Talbot KG, of Grafton, co. Worcester, Kighted on the Battlefield at Bosworth in 1485, Commander at the Battle of Stoke 1487, Deputy Captain of Calais (d. 19 Sep 1518), married at the marring place. Etheldreda Audrey Gardiner in 1491, (widow of (1) Thomas Barton and (2) Richard Gardiner, Lord Mayor of London), dau. of Sir William Cotton of Landwade. . Sir Gilbert was 3rd son of the Second Earl of Shrewsbury. daughter of Sir William Cotton, Lord of the Manor of Landwade, Cambridgeshire.

Unknown - Knight & Lady

Lady Mary Gardyner,

daughter of Alderman Gardyner marries, Sir Giles Alington, KB, (1483-1522) Knight of the Bath, Lord Deputy of Calais, twice High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire. who's father, Sir William Alington was killed at Bosworth in 1485. He and his mother were made ward of Alderman Richard Gardyner in 1487 for a period of 5 years until coming of age. He then married Alderman Gardyner's only daughter Mary Gardyner in 1504

London 1616

We know for Williams will Richard Gardyner was executor and his siblings are listed:

"William Gardyner - Skinner last will lists his brothers as Richard, Robert and John Gardiner, and his sisters, Maude and Alice".

"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 25^th Sept. 1485, Proved 8^th Oct. 1485, naming Ellen and his brother Sir Richard Gardiner, his executors and requesting burial in the chapel before the holy mother 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". (Wyllyam Gardyner, William Gardner, Wyllyam Gardynyr, William Gardner)

Sir Richard Gardyner was laid to rest in Old St Pancreas, Church Yard, City of London.. Destroyed in the Great Fire of 1666.

William Gardiner was laid to rest in the Bank, at St Mildred at the Poultry in 1485. Within sight of his kinsman Alderman Sir Richard Gardyner's grave at Old St Pancreas Church. Both destroyed in the Great Fire of 1666.. The Bank is where one goes to borrow money in London.. William's grave is located in London's financial district on the Bank of the Thames River.. Just yards from the Bank of England..

William Gardiner was assigned to his brother Mayor as an escheator (auditor) to the Mayor of London by Richard III in 1478,

William Sybson, Junior, draper, Peter Watson, draper, and others came before the Mayor and Alderman of London 19th Jan, 1487-1488 and entered into bond in the sum of 100 marks for payment into the Chamber of a like sum by the said William Sybson for the use of Thomas, Philippa, Magaret, Beatrix, and Anne children of John [ recte William ] Gardiner, when they come of age or mart. His widow Ellen, married (2^nd) before 1493 WILLIAM SIBSON or (SYBSON) or London, Skinner, son of William Sibson, The Elder, Citizen and draper of London. He was named in the 1499 will of his father who bequeathed him 40 marks. In the period 1486-1493 Thomas Dra****y of London, mercer sued William Sibson, of London, Skinner, and Ellen his wife in the Chancery regarding a debt for furs supplied to said Ellen. In period, 1501-1502, Peter Watson, Of London, draper and William Sybson, husband of Ellen, late wife of William Gardiner, sued the Mayor, Alderman, Sheriffs of London in Chancery on the behalf of the children of William Gardiner, to recover the portion of Williams son Thomas Gardiner who had entered Westminster Abbey.

Author

David T. Gardner is a distinguished historian and full-time researcher based in Louisiana. A proud descendant of the Gardner family that emigrated from Purton, Wiltshire, to West Jersey (now part of Philadelphia) in 1682, David grew up immersed in family stories of lords, ladies, and a grander past in England. Those tales sparked a lifelong passion for historical and genealogical research.

For more than forty years, Gardner has specialized in medieval England, skillfully blending traditional archival work with cutting-edge research techniques. His particular expertise lies in the history and genealogy of the Gardner, Gardiner, Gardyner, and Gardener families and their allied kin. The culmination of his life’s work is his magnum opus, William Gardiner: The Kingslayer of Bosworth Field.

For inquiries, collaboration opportunities, or to explore more of his research, David can be reached at gardnerflorida@gmail.com or through his blog at KingslayersCourt.com — a online space for fellow history enthusiasts.

King Slayer's Court

[ BIO ] Genealogy

The Complete Gardiner Family Tree:
All Known Individuals in the Family, 1400–1560