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Biography of David Owen 1459-1535

Paternal Family Tree: Tudor

1461 Battle of Mortimer's Cross

1509 Death of Henry VII

1535 Sweating Sickness Outbreak

Around 1459 David Owen was born illegitimately to Owen Tudor (age 59) at Pembroke Castle [Map].

Battle of Mortimer's Cross

On 2nd February 1461 following the battle [his father] Owen Tudor (age 61) was beheaded in the Market Place, Hereford [Map]. He was buried thereafter in Greyfriars Church, Hereford in a tomb paid for by his son David Owen (age 2). Somewhat curious that his other son [his half-brother] Jasper Tudor 1st Duke Bedford (age 29) didn't contribute although the political situation may have made it difficult to do so.

Memorial to Owen Tudor in the Market Place, Hereford [Map]. Somewhat incongruously between a toddlers merry-go-round and a baked potato stall on the day of our visit.

Before 1493 David Owen (age 33) and Mary Bohun (age 24) were married by which Owen came into possession of Cowdray House [Map] when Mary inherited it from her father John Bohun.

Around 1493 [his daughter] Ann Owen was born to David Owen (age 34) and Mary Bohun (age 25) in Cowdray House [Map].

Around 1500 [his son] Henry Owen was born to David Owen (age 41) and Mary Bohun (age 32) in Cowdray House [Map].

Death of Henry VII

Collectanea by John Leland. [10th May 1509] First there came rydinge throughe the Cittie of Lon don the Swerdebearer of London, and the Vice-Chamberleyne of the same, with Twoe of the Masters of the Brugehowse, to sett the Crafts in theire Order and Arraye. Then came Rydinge the Kyngs Messengers, twoe and twoe, with theire Boxes on theire Brests. Then the Kyngs Trumpeters; and after them the Kyngs still Minstrells. Then the Florentines, the Venetians, the Portingalls, the Spaniards, the Frenchmen, the Esterlings, the Gentlemen Ushers, the Kyngs Chapleyns havinge no Dignitye. The Squyers for the Boddie. The Aldermen of London. The Shreves, havinge in theire Hands Twoe Whyte Roddes. Then came there rydinge Twoe Herauds of Armes, in Twoe Cote Armurs; and after them came rydinge a noble Knyght, Mourner, uppon a goodlie Courser, trapped with Black Velvet, bearinge the Kyngs Stonderd, whose Name is Sir Edward Darrell (age 43); after whome came Knights. Then came the Chapleyns of Dignitie, as Deanes and suche other. Then the Kyng’s Counsell, and Knights of the Garter beinge no Lords. Then the Chiefe Justice of the Common Place, and the Chiefe Baron of the Kyngs Exchequer: Then the Chiefe Justice of the Kings Bench, and the Master of the Rolles. Then came the Crowched Fryers on Foote, and all the Foure Orders of Fryers followinge, singinge. Then the Chanons of ali the Places in London, in like wisse singinge. Then the Kyngs Chappell, in theire Surpleses and Grey Ameses, singinge. Then came rydinge all the Temporall Lords and Barrons, on the Left Hand; and all Abbotts and Bishopps, on the Right Hand. Then rode Sir Davie Owen (age 50), bearinge an Helmet of Steele, crowned with a rich Crowne of Golde. Then rode Sir Edward Howard (age 33), the Second Sonne of the Erle of Surrey (age 66), Treasorer of England, armed complete, with the Kyngs Harnes, his Face discovered, bearinge in his Hand the Kings Battel Axe, the Heade downewarde, restnge on his Foote. Then followed him a Knyght called Sir Thomas Fyes, bearinge a riche Armour, embrodered with the Armes of England. Then came the Maior of London ymediately before the Charett, bearinge his Mace in his Hand. Then came the Charett wherein the Kyngs Corps lay. Upon the which lay a Picture resemblinge his Person crowned and richly apparreled in his Parliament Roobe, bearinge in his Right Hand a Scepter, and in his Left Hand a Ball of Golde, over whome there was hanginge a riche Cloth of Golde pitched upon Fowre Staves, which were sett at the Fowre Corners of the saide Charett, wich Charett was drawen with Seaven great Coursers, trapped in Black Velvett, with the Armes of England on everie Courser set on bothe Sydes, and on every Side of everie Courer, a Knight goinge on Foote, bearing a Banner in his Hand; and at everie Corner of the saide Charett a Baron goinge on Foote, bearing a Banner, in like Manner; wich IIIJor Banners were the Kyngs Avowries; whereof the First was of the Trinitie, the Second of our Ladie, the Third of St. George, the fourth of .... And in the said Charett there were sittinge Twoe Gentlemen. Usshers of the Kyngs Chamber, One at the Heade of the Kynge and the other at the Feete, mourninge. Then followed the said Charett the Duke of Buckingham (age 31), the Earle of Arondell (age 59), the Earle of Northumberland (age 31), the Earle of Shrewsberie (age 41), the Earle of Surrey, the Earle of Essex, and other, to the Nomber of Nyne, beinge Knyghts of the Garter, in a Range one after another, as they were in Degree. Then followed them IX of the Kyngs Henchemen, ridinge on goodlie Coursers, trapped in Black Velvett, of the wich the three foremost did beare three Capps of Maintenances, wich three Popes had sent the Kynge duringe the Tyme of his Raigne. The next three Henchmen did beare three riche Swordes the Points downward, the seaventh bare a Target of the Armes of England, otherwise called a Sheild crowned, the eight bare an Helmet with a Lyon of Golde upon it. The IXth bare a Speare covered with Black Velvett. Then followed the Master of the Horses called Sir Thomas Brandon, leadinge in his Hande a goodlie Courser trapped with Black Velvett, richely embrodered with the Armes of England; whome followed the Lord Darcy (age 42), beinge Captayn of the Garde. After whome came the Garde, and many other Gentlemen. Then the worshipfull Men of the Crafts of London, which were appointed by theire Fellowship to set in the said Corps. Then Lords Servaunts followed, beinge a great Nomber.

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Before 1515 [his son-in-law] Arthur Hopton (age 25) and [his daughter] Ann Owen (age 21) were married.

Around 1520 David Owen (age 61) began construction of Cowdray House [Map] on the site of the former manor house that he had inherited from his wife Mary Bohun.

1535 Sweating Sickness Outbreak

Around 1535 David Owen (age 76) died. Possibly of the sweating sickness since letters of the time refer to sickness and plague. He was buried at St Mary's Church, Easebourne, Sussex [Map]. Esses and Roses Collar.

Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1535. 27th September 1535. R. O. 450. Sir Thomas Audeley to Cromwell.

Has received his letter, with the books of Bath and Winchester for valuation of the spiritualities. Only 12 or 13 books have yet come to his hands. Wonders the Commissioners are so negligent. Has lain at Old Ford only for this cause these 14 or 15 days, and cannot proceed till all the books come in. Intends to write letters, in the names of Cromwell and himself, to the Commissioners of the shires where they lack. and send them with the writs of the prorogation of Parliament, and with the commissions and proclamations for wheat, which will all be ready tomorrow. Wishes to know the King's pleasure about proclamations for clothiers. Must ride to the burial of Sir David Owen, who has named him one of his executors. Wishes to know what Cromwell has done for London, Middlesex, and Surrey. Thanks him for moving the Queen (age 34) for her house, and desires him to thank her Highness for lending it to him. Would be glad to gratify Cromwell about the nomination of the under-sheriff of Middlesex, "and am right well content ye take your pleasure in it, praying you to consider that it is given me, and that of good congruence and reason ye cannot take it from me." You have done me much greater pleasures, and this is not for my own profit, but for my poor servant's, to whom I can give nothing. Remember, I moved you once for poor Dyne to have the controllership of the dispensations, "with poor £10 fee. Ye have his bill." Each of us must have a clerk, with 20 marks' fee, to make up books of benefices, as it will be a great business. I shall be near the Court when I go to Mr. Owen's burial, but dare not approach the King's presence till I know his pleasure. I have long wished to see his Grace, "but I have a little resorted to London, and some suitors of London daily have come to my house." Can never be rid of them. Sends humble recommendations to the King and Queen. Old Ford, Monday before Michaelmas Day.

Hol., pp. 2. Add.: Thomas Crumwell, Esq., Chief Secretary to the King's Highness. Endd.

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Royal Ancestors of David Owen 1459-1535

Kings Wessex: Great x 13 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England

Kings Gwynedd: Great x 9 Grand Son of Bleddyn ap Cynfyn King Gwynedd King Powys

Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 13 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth

Kings Powys: Great x 8 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys

Kings England: Great x 5 Grand Son of King Edward I of England

Kings Scotland: Great x 12 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland

Kings Franks: Great x 9 Grand Son of Louis VII King Franks

Kings France: Great x 12 Grand Son of Robert "Pious" II King France

Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 17 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine

Royal Descendants of David Owen 1459-1535

President George Washington

Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom

Diana Spencer Princess Wales

Ancestors of David Owen 1459-1535

Great x 4 Grandfather: Goronwy ab Ednyfed Tudor

Great x 3 Grandfather: Tudur "Hen aka Elder" Tudor

Great x 2 Grandfather: Goronwy ap Tudur Hen Tudor

Great x 1 Grandfather: Tudur ap Goronwy Tudor

Great x 4 Grandfather: Iorwerth ap Madog Hendwr

Great x 3 Grandfather: Madog ab Iorwerth Hendwr

Great x 2 Grandmother: Gwerfyl verch Madog Hendwr

GrandFather: Maredudd Tudor 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Owain ap Meredudd

Great x 3 Grandfather: Llewelyn ap Owen

Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas ap Llywelyn Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry of Bar III Count of Bar 5 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Eleanor of Bar Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Plantagenet Daughter of King Edward I of England

Great x 1 Grandmother: Marged verch Thomas 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England

Father: Owen Tudor 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England

David Owen 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England