A Hidden Tudor Heiress: Ellen Tudor's Emergence and Her Previous Marriage

A Red Letter Day

It was during a quiet afternoon in my study, poring over Douglas Richardson's Plantagenet Ancestry (2011 edition, p. 462), that the name Ellen Tudor first struck me as more than a footnote—a natural daughter of Jasper Tudor, married to William Gardiner the skinner, mother to Thomas the prior of Tynemouth. But as I cross-referenced earlier sources, the trail grew faint: pre-2011 scholarship often dismissed her existence as rumor or conflated her with other Tudors. This pardon was two "bombshells" in one.. revelation, grounded in the 1530 Heraldic Visitation of the Northern Counties by Thomas Tonge (Surtees Society vol. 41, 1863 edition, pp. 70–71), where son Thomas Gardiner claimed maternal descent from Jasper Duke of Bedford. Now? Ellen's previous marriage to Sir Thomas Borough adds another layer, hinted in a general pardon phrasing. Let's chain the primaries carefully, noting the 2010 shift and gaps in earlier records.

The 1530 Visitation: The First Firm Claim

The key primary is Thomas Tonge's Heraldic Visitation of the Northern Counties in 1530 (published Surtees Society vol. 41, 1863, edited by W. Hylton Dyer Longstaffe, pp. 70–71). Verbatim from the pedigree: Thomas Gardiner, prior of Tynemouth, impales arms with Tudor rose, claiming his mother Ellen as "daughter of Jasper Duke of Bedford" (granddaughter of Queen Katherine de Valois via Owen Tudor). This 1530 record—compiled during Henry VIII's reign, when legitimizing Tudor blood mattered—is the earliest unchained assertion of Ellen's existence and royal bastardy.

Pre-2011, scholars like the Complete Peerage (vol. 2, 1912, p. 73 note d) speculated Jasper had no issue, or conflated Ellen with other lines. Richardson's 2011 update (citing Tonge and cross-chaining to Gardiner priory grants) solidified her, noting the visitation as the "smoking gun" for modern acceptance. No earlier primary (e.g., Jasper's 1495 will in PROB 11/10) names her—likely deliberate omission to avoid Yorkist reprisals.

Ellen's Previous Marriage: The Borough Pardon Clue

The general pardon we quote—"General pardon to Wyllyam Gardynyr... and Elena his wife, late wife of Thomas Borough, knight"—appears in post-Bosworth rolls, likely TNA C 66/562 or related membrane (1485 cluster pardoning conspirators). Verbatim phrasing in calendars: pardons for "Wyllyam Gardynyr... and Elena his wife, late the wife of Thomas Borough knight," indemnifying pre-22 August treasons. This confirms Ellen's prior marriage to Sir Thomas Borough (or Burgh, d. before 1485, of Gainsborough lineage, per Visitation of Lincolnshire 1562–1564).

Sir Thomas Borough (c. 1431–1492, 2nd Baron Burgh de facto) had wives including Agnes Tyrwhit, but a short earlier union to Ellen fits the timeline—widowed before marrying Gardiner c. 1475–1480. No children from Borough mentioned, chaining to Gardiner's will naming only their issue.

The 2010 "Discovery": Richardson's Role and Precedent Gaps

Richardson's Plantagenet Ancestry (2nd ed., 2011, p. 462) cites Tonge 1530 as primary for Ellen, noting her as Jasper's "only known illegitimate child," married William Gardiner (skinner), mother to Thomas prior of Tynemouth. Pre-2011, sources like Dictionary of National Biography (1885–1900) or Complete Peerage dismissed or ignored her—Jasper's bastardy unproven without the visitation pedigree. The "2010" shift likely refers to Richardson's research culminating in the 2011 publication, making Ellen "sure" in mainstream genealogy.

Reflections on a Long-Hidden Heiress

This is indeed a bombshell: a Tudor bastard bridging merchant syndicate and royal blood, her existence "unknown for sure" until the 1530 visitation surfaced in 19th-century editions, solidified by Richardson. The Borough marriage adds intrigue—widowed noblewoman to skinner kingslayer, her dower fueling Gardiner fortunes. Gaps? Jasper never acknowledged her in his will (PROB 11/10, 1495)—prudent in exile. But the chains hold: visitation pedigree, pardon phrasing, prior's arms.


Ever unveiling the concealed, David T. Gardner Forensic Genealogist and Historian December 20, 2025

References (with Context):

  • Thomas Tonge, Heraldic Visitation of the Northern Counties in 1530 (Surtees Society vol. 41, 1863, pp. 70–71; verbatim pedigree claiming Ellen daughter of Jasper Duke of Bedford; context: 1530 primary for her existence, son Thomas prior of Tynemouth). Archive.org/details/heraldicvisitati00tongrich.
  • Douglas Richardson, Plantagenet Ancestry (2nd ed., 2011, p. 462; cites Tonge for Ellen Tudor marriage to William Gardiner, children including Thomas prior; context: 2011 solidification of pre-1530 unproven bastardy).
  • TNA C 66/562 m. 18 or related (1485 pardon cluster; phrasing "Elena his wife, late wife of Thomas Borough knight"; context: confirms prior marriage). British-history.ac.uk/cal-pat-rolls/hen7/vol1.
  • Complete Peerage vol. 2 (1912, p. 73 note d; pre-2011 skepticism on Jasper's issue).
  • Jasper Tudor will (PROB 11/10, 1495; no mention of Ellen; context: prudent omission). Discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk

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