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| Battle of Bosworth 1485 |
"Rhys ap Thomas troops found Richard’s crown in the hands of William Gardyner and brought it to Henry. Henry knighted William Gardyner, Gilbert Talbot, Humphrey Stanley and Rhys ap Thomas on the battlefield as well as a number of his captains. It is to be noted that neither Thomas nor William Stanley were honoured. All present cried ‘God save King Henry’. He was then crowned with Richard’s crown – that is, the coronet from Richard’s helmet – by Thomas Stanley. Traditionally, he is said to have been crowned on the hill now known as Crown Hill, on the slopes of which the Stanley's were probably stationed when Richard was finally struck down. The hawthorn was to feature in heraldry for Henry Tudor from the beginnings of his reign." (Breverton (2014) Jasper Tudor)
William Gardyner was indeed married to Eleanor Tudor the natural daughter of the Tudor King maker, Jasper Tudor Duke of Bedford. William Gardyner appears to be the kinsman of Richard Gardyner Father of the City of London. Who was a powerful London Aldermen, Mayor and Sheriff. Alderman Richard Gardiner at the time, like his fellow Alderman? Would have been considered one of the most wealthy and powerful men on Earth. Alderman Gardyner was selected official representative of City of London, riding out to meet newly crowned Henry VII before he entered London's city gates. I imagine Sir William Gardiner was now riding in close proximity to the New King.
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| Lord John Gardiner |
Author
David T. Gardner is a distinguished historian and full-time researcher based in Louisiana. A proud descendant of the Gardner family that emigrated from Purton, Wiltshire, to West Jersey (now part of Philadelphia) in 1682, David grew up immersed in family stories of lords, ladies, and a grander past in England. Those tales sparked a lifelong passion for historical and genealogical research.
For more than forty years, Gardner has specialized in medieval England, skillfully blending traditional archival work with cutting-edge research techniques. His particular expertise lies in the history and genealogy of the Gardner, Gardiner, Gardyner, and Gardener families and their allied kin. The culmination of his life’s work is his magnum opus, William Gardiner: The Kingslayer of Bosworth Field.
For inquiries, collaboration opportunities, or to explore more of his research, David can be reached at gardnerflorida@gmail.com or through his blog at KingslayersCourt.com — a welcoming online space for fellow history enthusiasts.
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Sir William Gardiner 1485
👑 ARCHIVAL RECORD: Original Post, Dated July 2016
(or William Gardyner) 1432-1485 is the Knight who has been alleged by some to have delivered the mortal blow, killing King Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth in 1485. King Richard III was the last English King killed in Battle. Wyllyam Gardynyr, Sir Gilbert Talbot, Rhys ap Thomas and Humphrey Stanley were Knighted on the field. The Royal Families Yeoman of the Guard, The Royal Body Guards, England's oldest military order, was formed on the battlefield that day. William Gardyner was elevated to Knight. Wyllyam Gardynyr was found with King Richards III Crown, and this has lead to generations of speculation and claims. Did a common skinner deliver the mortal blow? Had some free lance mercenary actually killed the last English King killed in battle? Did Wyllyam Gardynyr strike the King in the head with a Poleaxe when the King and his horse had become mired in a bog? [ Sir William Gardiner, Sir William Gardynynr, Sir William Gardener, Ellen Tudor, William Gardiner Battle of Bosworth ] Battle of Bosworth 1485
When the Battlefield south of Bosworth Market was finally discovered in 2009. It wasn't high a top Albion~? The battle occurred in a low boggy area.. Not long after King Richards body after being lost for 527 years, was located and recovered from the Church of the Greyfriars in 2012. One of the most extensive forensic examinations ever undertaken, was completed by the University of Leicester. The cause of death was determined to have been a blow to the head, consistent with a Poleaxe (Gruesome Details. King Richard III's Death) and also consistent with the story of William Gardner. Thus appearing to confirm early Welsh accounts of the Battle. Tales told long before Richards body was discovered, in an era before the Internet.. The tale of Sir William, the forensic evidence collected from Richards body, and genealogical analysis documented here. Shines some new light on the death of King Richard III..
"Rhys ap Thomas troops found Richard’s crown in the hands of William Gardyner and brought it to Henry. Henry knighted William Gardyner, Gilbert Talbot, Humphrey Stanley and Rhys ap Thomas on the battlefield as well as a number of his captains. It is to be noted that neither Thomas nor William Stanley were honoured. All present cried ‘God save King Henry’. He was then crowned with Richard’s crown – that is, the coronet from Richard’s helmet – by Thomas Stanley. Traditionally, he is said to have been crowned on the hill now known as Crown Hill, on the slopes of which the Stanley's were probably stationed when Richard was finally struck down. The hawthorn was to feature in heraldry for Henry Tudor from the beginnings of his reign." (Breverton (2014) Jasper Tudor) Stories many families have passed generation to generation. Tales told by my English ancestors, Traders who landed on the Welsh Tract of West Jersey in 1682. Children's bedtime stories (Rhyme of Sir Christopher Gardyner, Harper's vol 66), Tales of Lords, Ladies, Kings, Great Battles and Better Times in England. Have ultimately stood the test of time. Many stories lost to time in England have been rediscovered in remote parts of the empire applying modern research methods.
The Gardiner family in the story of King Richard and the War of the Roses are often written off as common skinners at best, and even foreign mercenaries, flee-lancers or worse. The Gardyner family may have been many things. Common? Just wasn't one of them. Far from playing a minor roll in the story of King Richard III? The Gardyner family and their kinsman, appear to be one of the key players in the death of the last English King killed in battle, King Richard III.
William Gardyner was indeed married to Eleanor Tudor the natural daughter of the Tudor King maker, Jasper Tudor Duke of Bedford. William Gardyner appears to be the kinsman of Richard Gardyner Father of the City of London. Who was a powerful London Aldermen, Mayor and Sheriff. Alderman Richard Gardiner at the time, like his fellow Alderman? Would have been considered one of the most wealthy and powerful men on Earth. Alderman Gardyner was selected official representative of City of London, riding out to meet newly crowned Henry VII before he entered London's city gates. I imagine Sir William Gardiner was now riding in close proximity to the New King.
William's kinsman Alderman Gardiner was married to Audrey Cotton. Granddaughter of the highly regarded Sir William Cotton Knight, Vice Chamberlain, Keeper of the Wardrobe, Receiver to the Queen, Captain of the Guard and Protector of the Body to King Henry VI, Sir William Cotton was killed at the first Battle of Albans in 1455. (War of the Roses, Luminarium) "The Archers of the Yorkist Duke of Somerset shot at the men around the King", Killing Sir William Cotton and several others. "The King and the Duke of Buckingham were injured",.
It must be noted only William Gardiner who was found with Richards Crown and, Gilbert Talbot, commander of the right wing of Henry Tudors army, Rhy ap Thomas and Humphrey Stanley were knighted on the field immediately after the battle. The Stanley's were left behind to clean up the scene of the battle. Alderman Richard Gardyner makes hasty arrangements for his widow Audrey Cotton to marry Henry Sevens right wing commander at Bosworth Sir Gilbert Talbot upon his death. Most people are unaware the De Veres - Stanleys - Gardeners - Cottons had estates at Exning.
Most importantly and key to this story? William Gardiner's son and Jasper Tudors grandson, Thomas Gardiner is, "King's chaplain, son and heir, born in London say 1479", ( Personal Chaplin to King Henry VII and King Henry VIII ) [Chamberlain Westminster Abby, Prior Blyth, Lifetyme Appointment Pryor Tynemouth], Thus also apparently giving us clues as to why Steven Gardyner and Germane Gardyner (as in germane to the case) enjoyed a close relationship with Henry VIII. Because they were all indeed cousins through William Gardiner and his brothers. [Battle of Bosworth, King Richard III, Sir William Gardiner, William Gardyner, Ellen Tudor, Helen Tudor, Jasper Tudor, Henry VII, Yeomen, Alderman Gardyner, Aldermen Gardyner, Wyllyam Gardynyr, Wyllyam Gardyner, Stephen Gardiner, Eleanor Tudor, King Charles III, Charles III, HRH Charles, King Charles, King of England, King of United Kingdom, Britain, United Kingdon, UK ]
Lord John Gardiner The Vice Chamberlain is responsible for many things, Security and logistics of the Royal Family are but a few, He is Captain of the Yeomen of the Guard. The Royal Bodyguard. Aldermen Gardyner's wife Etheldreda "Audrey" Cotton, was granddaughter of Sir William Cotton, Vice Chamberlain to King Henry VI. Former Vice Chamberlain, and Captain of the Yeomen of the Guard, is current Senior Deputy Speaker of the House of Lords, Lord John Gardiner, Baron of Kimble..
As we enter the digital age and the information of past generations is uploaded, it seems to be painting a picture that has been left unfinished for many generations. We live in exciting times, my friends. Even a single forgotten document, just one seemingly unimportant piece of information now scanned to the internet? Can (should) cause us to examine everything we think we thought we knew about our history.
Author David T. Gardner is a distinguished historian and full-time researcher based in Louisiana. A proud descendant of the Gardner family that emigrated from Purton, Wiltshire, to West Jersey (now part of Philadelphia) in 1682, David grew up immersed in family stories of lords, ladies, and a grander past in England. Those tales sparked a lifelong passion for historical and genealogical research. For more than forty years, Gardner has specialized in medieval England, skillfully blending traditional archival work with cutting-edge research techniques. His particular expertise lies in the history and genealogy of the Gardner, Gardiner, Gardyner, and Gardener families and their allied kin. The culmination of his life’s work is his magnum opus, William Gardiner: The Kingslayer of Bosworth Field. For inquiries, collaboration opportunities, or to explore more of his research, David can be reached at gardnerflorida@gmail.com or through his blog at KingslayersCourt.com — a welcoming online space for fellow history enthusiasts.
Names (keyword): William Gardyner, William Gardener, William Gardyner, Willyam Gardyner, Willyam Gardener, William Gardyner, William Gardynyr, Wyllyam Gardynyr, Ellen Tudor, Hellen Tudor, Ellen Tuwdr,Thomas Gardiner, Thomas Gardener, Thomas Gardyner, Thomas Gardiner Kings Chaplain Son and Heir, Thomas Gardiner Chaplain, Thomas Gardiner Prior of Tynmouth, Thomas Gardiner Prior of Blyth, Jasper Tudor Duke of Bedford, Thomas Gardiner Westminster Abbey, Thomas Gardiner Monk, Thomas Gardiner Lady Chapel, Westminster Lady Chapel, Henry VII Chantry, Bishop Stephen Gardiner, Chancellor Stephen Gardiner, Bishop Stephen Gardyner, Aldermen Richard Gardiner, Mayor Richard Gardiner, Sheriff Richard Gardiner, Aldermen Richard Gardyner, Mayor Richard Gardyner, Sheriff Richard Gardyner, Henry VII, September 3, 1485, September 3rd 1485, 3rd September 1485, Jasper Tudor, Duke of Bedford, London Common Counsel, City of London, Rhys Ap Thomas, Jean Molinet, Battle of Bosworth, City of London, King Charles III, English wool export, 15th century london, St Pancras Church, Soper Lane, London Steel Yard, History of London, 15th Century London, Gardyner, Wyllyam (Sir), Tudor, Ellen, Gardiner, Thomas, Tudor, Jasper (Duke of Bedford), Gardiner, Richard (Alderman), Cotton, Etheldreda (Audrey), Talbot, Sir Gilbert, Gardiner, John (of Exning), Gardiner, Isabelle, Gardyner, Philippa, Gardyner, Beatrix, Gardiner, Anne, Gardiner, Ralph, Gardiner, Stephen (Bishop), Rhys ap Thomas (Sir), Henry VII, Richard III, Charles III (King), Battle of Bosworth, Milford Haven Landing, Shrewsbury Army Payments, Shoreditch Greeting, St. Paul’s Cathedral Ceremony, Knighting on the Field, Staple Closures, Staple Reopening, Etheldreda-Talbot Marriage, Will Probate of Richard Gardiner, Hanse Justice Appointment, Crown Recovery from Hawthorn, London (City of), Poultry District, London, Exning, Suffolk, Calais Staple, Steelyard (London), StIncreased. Pancras Church, Soper Lane, Westminster Abbey, Tynemouth Priory, Bosworth Field, Shoreditch, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Queenhithe Ward, Walbrook Ward, Bassishaw Ward, English wool export, Calais Staple audits, Hanseatic exemptions, Mercers’ Company, Maletolt duties, Black-market skims, £5 per head levies, £20,000 Richard III borrowings, Cronicl o Wech Oesoedd, Brut y Tywysogion (Peniarth MS 20), Crowland Chronicle Continuations, Hanseatisches Urkundenbuch, Calendar of Patent Rolls, Jean Molinet, 15th century London, History of London, Merchant putsch, Tudor propaganda, Welsh chronicles, Forensic osteometry, Gardner Annals, King Charles III
🛡️ FORENSIC UPDATE: The Kingslayer's Confession (2025)
The subsequent refinement of the C-to-Gardner Method (Sir WIlliam's Key) has confirmed the core thesis of a mercantile coup d'état—but has forensically finalized the identity and reward structure of the Kingslayer, Sir Wyllyam Gardynyr. This is not a theory; this is a documented transactional event.
1. The Regicide Confirmed
The contemporary Welsh chronicles name Wyllyam Gardynyr as the commoner who delivered the fatal blow to Richard III at Bosworth Field. The consequence of this felony was immediate:
- Knighted on the Field: His service was so extraordinary that he was immediately elevated. His Will notation confirms he was "Sir William Gardiner, knighted on field", a unique honor that instantly indemnified the act of regicide.
- The Massive Payoff: The honor was backed by cash. Henry VII issued a warrant for a second secret payment of £400 to "William Gardynyr skinner for services done in the field", followed by the final £2,000 payoff for Bosworth services.
- The Syndicate Pardon: To secure the financiers of the coup, Henry VII issued a massive Second General Pardon to the entire Gardiner syndicate, covering "all treasons, felonies, transgressions, and contempts before 22 August 1485" (the date of the battle).
2. The Lineage Correction
While the original 2016 post correctly identified the syndicate's power, subsequent archival review has corrected the exact family line, confirming the generational repayment of the blood debt (The Unicorn's Debt):
- Stephen Gardiner: The infamous Bishop of Winchester was the nephew of the Kingslayer, not the son, as previously theorized.
- The Repayment Cycle: The syndicate's wealth, generated through the Calais Staple evasions, was repaid over 70 years through the placement of Thomas (Prior of Tynemouth) and Stephen (Bishop of Winchester) in high ecclesiastical offices, a cycle that ended exactly in 1555.
David T. Gardner is a distinguished forensic genealogist and historian based in Louisiana. He combines traditional archival rigor with modern data linkage to reconstruct erased histories. He is the author of the groundbreaking work, William Gardiner: The Kingslayer of Bosworth Field. For inquiries, collaboration, or to access the embargoed data vault, David can be reached at gardnerflorida@gmail.com or through his research hub at KingslayersCourt.com , "Sir William’s Key™: the Future of History."