Sir Roger Vaughan
Encyclopedia
Sir Roger Vaughan of Tretower Court
, was the son of Welsh
noblewoman Gwladys ferch Dafydd Gam
and Sir Roger Vaughan of Bredwardine
, who fought and died with Gwladys' father, Dafydd Gam
in the Battle of Agincourt
in 1415.
, celebrated in one of the poems of Lewus Glyn Cothi, died not long after Roger's return from the Battle of Agincourt. She was the mother of his heir Sir Thomas Vaughan and his son Roger Vaughan of Porthaml and four daughters, all of whom reached adulthood and married into prominent Welsh families.
He also married Lady Margaret, daughter of Lord James Audley, another of the English heroes of Agincourt and Eleanor, daughter of Edmund, Earl of Kent. They had one daughter, the wife of Humphrey Kynaston. He was also alleged to have fathered a number of illegitimate children.
(1455–1485), loyalties in England were split between the House of Lancaster
and the House of York
. Roger's parents were loyal Lancastrians, and Roger fought with his father for Henry V of England
at the Battle of Agincourt. In later years, though, Roger and his brothers Watkin and Thomas switched allegiances, becoming staunch Yorkists.
Roger was given positions of responsibility and knighted by 23 March 1465 for his activities supporting the Yorkist faction:
Roger likely received the fortified manor, Tretower Court
, as a gift from his half-brother William Herbert, 1st Earl of Pembroke.
, which resulted in further acrimonious sentiments towards the Tudors by the Vaughans and Herberts and for which Welsh poets urged revenge.
Tretower Court
Tretower Court is a medieval fortified manor house situated in the village of Tretower, near Crickhowell in modern day Powys, previously within the historical county of Breconshire or Brecknockshire.- Local & national importance :...
, was the son of Welsh
Welsh people
The Welsh people are an ethnic group and nation associated with Wales and the Welsh language.John Davies argues that the origin of the "Welsh nation" can be traced to the late 4th and early 5th centuries, following the Roman departure from Britain, although Brythonic Celtic languages seem to have...
noblewoman Gwladys ferch Dafydd Gam
Gwladys ferch Dafydd Gam
Gwladys ferch Dafydd Gam was a Welsh noblewoman, the daughter of Dafydd ap Llewelyn ap Hywel, otherwise known as Dafydd Gam, who was killed at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415....
and Sir Roger Vaughan of Bredwardine
Sir Roger Vaughan of Bredwardine
Sir Roger Vaughan of Bredwardine, was a Welsh gentleman, described as having possessed wealth, rank, and high respectability. Roger's seat, Bredwardine Castle, is estimated to have been a strong and formidable fortress, located on the banks of the Wye river in Herefordshire, two miles north of...
, who fought and died with Gwladys' father, Dafydd Gam
Dafydd Gam
Dafydd ap Llewelyn ap Hywel , better known as Dafydd Gam or Davy Gam, was a Welsh medieval nobleman, a prominent opponent of Owain Glyndŵr, who died at the Battle of Agincourt fighting for King Henry V, King of England in that victory against the French...
in the Battle of Agincourt
Battle of Agincourt
The Battle of Agincourt was a major English victory against a numerically superior French army in the Hundred Years' War. The battle occurred on Friday, 25 October 1415 , near modern-day Azincourt, in northern France...
in 1415.
Marriages
Roger was married twice. Once to Denise (her name is sometimes given as Cicely), daughter of Thomas ab Philip Vychan, of TalgarthTalgarth
Talgarth is a small market town and community in southern Powys , Mid Wales, with a population of 1,645. Notable buildings in the town include its 14th-century parish church and 13th century Pele Tower, located in the town centre, now home to the Tourist Information and Resource Centre...
, celebrated in one of the poems of Lewus Glyn Cothi, died not long after Roger's return from the Battle of Agincourt. She was the mother of his heir Sir Thomas Vaughan and his son Roger Vaughan of Porthaml and four daughters, all of whom reached adulthood and married into prominent Welsh families.
He also married Lady Margaret, daughter of Lord James Audley, another of the English heroes of Agincourt and Eleanor, daughter of Edmund, Earl of Kent. They had one daughter, the wife of Humphrey Kynaston. He was also alleged to have fathered a number of illegitimate children.
Wars of the Roses
During the series of dynastic civil wars known as the Wars of the RosesWars of the Roses
The Wars of the Roses were a series of dynastic civil wars for the throne of England fought between supporters of two rival branches of the royal House of Plantagenet: the houses of Lancaster and York...
(1455–1485), loyalties in England were split between the House of Lancaster
House of Lancaster
The House of Lancaster was a branch of the royal House of Plantagenet. It was one of the opposing factions involved in the Wars of the Roses, an intermittent civil war which affected England and Wales during the 15th century...
and the House of York
House of York
The House of York was a branch of the English royal House of Plantagenet, three members of which became English kings in the late 15th century. The House of York was descended in the paternal line from Edmund of Langley, 1st Duke of York, the fourth surviving son of Edward III, but also represented...
. Roger's parents were loyal Lancastrians, and Roger fought with his father for Henry V of England
Henry V of England
Henry V was King of England from 1413 until his death at the age of 35 in 1422. He was the second monarch belonging to the House of Lancaster....
at the Battle of Agincourt. In later years, though, Roger and his brothers Watkin and Thomas switched allegiances, becoming staunch Yorkists.
Roger was given positions of responsibility and knighted by 23 March 1465 for his activities supporting the Yorkist faction:
- Richard, Duke of York awarded Roger the post of receiver of Builth WellsBuilth WellsBuilth Wells is a town in the county of Powys, within the historic boundaries of Brecknockshire, mid Wales, lying at the confluence of the River Wye and the River Irfon, in the Welsh of the Wye Valley. It has a population of 2,352....
as early as 1442–3. - He was instrumental, with his brothers and others, in securing Wales for Edward IVEdward IV of EnglandEdward IV was King of England from 4 March 1461 until 3 October 1470, and again from 11 April 1471 until his death. He was the first Yorkist King of England...
. As directed by the Privy Council on 17 August 1460, they prevented assembly and supply of foods at castles. Roger fought with the Yorkists at the Battle of Mortimer's CrossBattle of Mortimer's CrossThe Battle of Mortimer's Cross was fought on 2 February 1461 near Wigmore, Herefordshire . It was part of the Wars of the Roses....
in February 1461 and is said to have led Owen TudorOwen TudorSir Owen Meredith Tudor was a Welsh soldier and courtier, descended from a daughter of the Welsh prince Rhys ap Gruffudd, "Lord Rhys". However, Owen Tudor is particularly remembered for his role in founding England's Tudor dynasty – including his relationship with, and probable secret marriage to,...
to execution at Hereford after the battle. - Roger was steward and receiver of Cantref Selyf, Alexanderston, and Pencell.
- In 1465, had a role in suppressing an upring in CarmarthenshireCarmarthenshireCarmarthenshire is a unitary authority in the south west of Wales and one of thirteen historic counties. It is the 3rd largest in Wales. Its three largest towns are Llanelli, Carmarthen and Ammanford...
. - On 16 February 1470 he was appointed constable of Cardigan CastleCardigan CastleCardigan Castle is a castle located in Cardigan, Ceredigion, Wales.-History:The first motte-and-bailey castle was built a mile away from the present site, probably about the time of the founding of the town by Roger de Montgomery, a Norman baron....
.
Roger likely received the fortified manor, Tretower Court
Tretower Court
Tretower Court is a medieval fortified manor house situated in the village of Tretower, near Crickhowell in modern day Powys, previously within the historical county of Breconshire or Brecknockshire.- Local & national importance :...
, as a gift from his half-brother William Herbert, 1st Earl of Pembroke.
Execution
In May 1471 Roger was sent by King Edward to capture Jasper Tudor; however, Roger instead fell into Jasper's hands and he was consequently beheaded at ChepstowChepstow
Chepstow is a town in Monmouthshire, Wales, adjoining the border with Gloucestershire, England. It is located on the River Wye, close to its confluence with the River Severn, and close to the western end of the Severn Bridge on the M48 motorway...
, which resulted in further acrimonious sentiments towards the Tudors by the Vaughans and Herberts and for which Welsh poets urged revenge.