The New Student's Reference Work/Tudor

Tu′dor, the name of one of the royal families of England, reigning from 1485 to 1603. The family came from Owen Tudor, at one time a brewer in Anglesey, who fought at Agincourt and so pleased Catherine, widow of Henry V, by his dancing at a court pageant that she married him privately. The queen took refuge in a convent and Tudor was sent to prison to escape the popular fury, when their marriage became known. Tudor escaped, and was protected by Henry VI, the young king. The oldest son of this marriage was made Earl of Richmond, and married Margaret Beaufort, a descendant of John of Gaunt. Their son became Henry VII of England, and by marrying the daughter of Edward IV united the houses of York and Lancaster and ended the Wars of the Roses (1455-85). There were five Tudor sovereigns: Henry VII, Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary and Elizabeth. Consult Early Tudors by Moberly and History of England (1529-88) by Froude.