Roger Vaughan 1410-1471

On 2nd February 1461 at the Battle of Mortimer's Cross at Mortimer's Cross, Herefordshire [Map] the future King Edward IV of England [aged 18] commanded the Yorkist forces including William Hastings 1st Baron Hastings [aged 30], John Wenlock 1st Baron Wenlock [aged 61], John Tuchet 6th Baron Audley, 3rd Baron Tuchet [aged 35], John Savage [aged 17] and Roger Vaughan [aged 51].

In the Lancastrian army Owen Tudor [aged 61] (captured by Roger Vaughan) and his son Jasper Tudor 1st Duke Bedford [aged 29] fought as well as James Butler 1st Earl Wiltshire 5th Earl Ormonde [aged 40] and Henry Roos. Gruffydd ap Nicholas Deheubarth [aged 68] were killed. [his brother] Watkin Vaughan [aged 66] and Henry Wogan [aged 59] were killed.

Monument to the Battle of Mortimer's Cross at Mortimer's Cross, Herefordshire [Map]. Note Edward IV described as Edward Mortimer. The monument was erected by subscription in 1799.

Gruffydd ap Nicholas Deheubarth: In 1393 he was born to Nicolas ap Philip Deheubarth and Jonet Unknown at Sheffield [Map].

Watkin Vaughan: Around 1395 he was born to Roger Vaughan of Bredwardine and Gwladys ferch Dafydd Gam "Star of Abergavenny" Brecon. Around 1435 Watkin Vaughan and Elinor Wogan were married. The date based on his age being around twenty. The difference in their ages was 29 years.

Henry Wogan: In 1402 he was born to John Wogan at Wiston.

Works of Gutor Glyn. Poem about the death of [his half-brother] William Herbert 1st Earl Pembroke [aged 46] who was executed on Thursday 27th July 1469 following his capture at the Battle of Edgecote Moor aka Danes Moor aka Banbury fought on Monday 24th July 1469.

Note 1. The Dance of St Paul’s. The Dance of Death was a popular performance, in which Death led twenty-four representatives of every age and social class to the grave. This dance was depicted in many forms, media and places. 'There was a Dance of Death painted round the cloister of old St Paul’s in London, in the reign of Henry VI'. Guto had seen the image, and to him the slaughter at Banbury was an imitation of the Dance of St Paul’s, with Death 'drawing all the men into the net'. Line 2. On that day Death took a great prey from among both the English and the Welsh, but Guto was thinking chiefly of the earls.

Note 2. the City of the Thong: Hengist asked for as much land on which to build a castle as a thong could enclose. Vortigern promised him this. Hengist then took an ox-hide, cut it into a single thong and enclosed a considerable piece of land. There he built a fortress, 'which was formerly called Caer y Garrai by the Britons, but is now called Doncaster by the English, that is, Thong-Chester'.

Note 3. It was Richard Herbert who was executed on Wednesday 26th July 1469 although Ifor Evans suggests Henry Neville [deceased].

Note 4. Thomas Vaughan of Bredwardine, executed Tuesday 25th July 1469.

Note 5. Humphrey Stafford 1st Earl Devon.

Note 6. Dore Abbey, Herefordshire [Map], in the Golden Valley.

Note 7. The Fates, namely Clotho, who spins the thread of life, Lachesis, who determines the length of the thread, and Atropos, who cuts it.

Note 8. That is, the English, the children of Alis Rhonwen.

Note 9. Myrddin ap Morfryn: that is, Myrddin Wyllt, who went mad and fled to the Caledonian Forest after losing his patron, Gwenddolau, at the Battle of Arfderydd.

Note 10. Probably Roger Vaughan, brother of Thomas who is referred to in line 13.

Note 11. 81. Three sons of an earl: Richard [aged 27], William [aged 18] and Walter [aged 17], sons of the Earl of Pembroke.