Mab Darogan - Historical Figures - Henry VII of England

Henry VII of England

In the lead up to the Welshman Henry Tudor seizing the throne of England by defeating and slaying Richard III at Bosworth Field in 1485, his supporters and the poets of Wales claimed him as Y Mab Darogan, a move that won the future king many supporters in Wales. He landed in southwest Wales and raised the banner of Cadwaladr, a Welsh king often mentioned in the prophecies as returning with Cynan to free the Brythons - before marching through the country to gather recruits on his way to Bosworth. His reign over England was believed by some to be the fulfilment of the prophecy; a belief that he actively encouraged by naming his firstborn son Arthur Tudor.

Prince Arthur came of age as Prince of Wales in 1501 and after marrying governed the Principality from its de facto capital at Ludlow and reversed some of the most oppressive laws established in Wales at the defeat of Owain Glyndwr. However, he died only one year later and Britain never saw another king named Arthur. His younger brother Henry became Prince of Wales but this son had been brought up in London. Henry succeeded his father to the throne as King Henry VIII: like his father, Henry VIII used the red dragon as a supporter to his royal arms and he enacted the Acts of Union of 1536 and 1543 by which Wales was annexed to the Kingdom of England and given parliamentary representation and equality under the law. Henry abolished the feudal marcher lordships which hitherto had ruled much of Wales and the mediæval laws applying there, extending the laws of England across his realm.