Even though he never ruled as king, Owen Tudor is considered the founder of the Tudor dynasty.

Owen was his Anglicized name. Tudor was a Welshman about whose early life and family little is known. Some scholars claim that Owen's father, Meredith fled Wales rather than go on trial for murder. Owen was raised by his father's cousin and when he was seven he was sent to the English court to serve as a page.

It is known that he fought with Henry V at Agincourt. Afterwards he returned to the English court and was hired by the young widow of Henry V, Katherine, who was then the Queen Mother at the court of her infant son, Henry VI. After a short time at court it became obvious to observers that the Queen Mother, who was daughter of the King of France, was living with the upstart Owen Tudor as husband and wife. No record of their marriage has ever come to light. However, five children were born to the relationship, including sons Edmund and Jasper.

When the Queen Mother died, Tudor fled back to Wales, with the king's permission. However, he was overtaken and returned to Newgate Prison. He managed to escape and return to Wales. When Henry VI reached majority he sought to provide for this step-father. He fought for the king in the War of the Roses, but eventually the Yorkists captured him and he was beheaded. His oldest son, Edmund was raised in an abbey along with his brothers until the king reached maturity and brought his half-brothers to live with him.

In 1453 Edmund was created the Earl of Richmond and he was declared of legitimate birth. He married a noblewoman and became a father within a year to Henry, who later became Henry VII. Edmund did not live to see his son born, as Henry was born three months after his father's death. Henry VII would go on to found the Tudor dynasty, which included Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary I, and Elizabeth I. When Elizabeth died, she was succeeded by her cousin, James Stuart, who also had Tudor blood.