Sir Roger Kynaston facts for kids

Sir Roger Kynaston (around 1433–1495) was an important Knight of the Realm and a nobleman in England. He was a member of the well-known Kynaston family from North Shropshire and the Welsh Marches, an area along the border of England and Wales.

Early Life of Roger Kynaston

Roger Kynaston was the son of Griffin Kynaston and Margaret Jane Hoord. His father, Griffin, was the manager (called a Seneschal) of Ellesmere, Shropshire. Roger's family had a long history, tracing back to Gruffydd Fychan ap Iorwerth, who was the first to use the Kynaston name. They were also related to Bleddyn ap Cynfyn, who was the last Prince of Powys, an ancient Welsh kingdom.

Family and Marriages

Roger Kynaston was married twice and had several children.

First Marriage

In 1450, Roger married his first wife, Elizabeth Cobham. When they married, he received Myddle Castle in Shropshire as part of her dowry (a gift of property or money given by the bride's family). Roger and Elizabeth had one son named Thomas Kynaston (1453–1513). Thomas later became the High Sheriff of Shropshire in 1508, which was a very important local government role. Elizabeth passed away in 1453.

Second Marriage and Children

After Elizabeth's death, Roger married Elizabeth Grey in 1465. Elizabeth Grey (around 1440–1501) had a very important family connection: she was the daughter of Henry Grey, 2nd Earl of Tankerville, and her grandmother was Antigone Plantagenet, who was the granddaughter of Henry IV of England. This meant Roger Kynaston married into a family with royal ties!

Roger and Elizabeth Grey had several children:

• Jana Kynaston (born 1466)
• Margaret Kynaston (around 1467), who married Richard Hanmer
• Humphrey Kynaston, who became known for his adventurous life in the area northwest of Shrewsbury.
• Lancelot Kynaston (born 1469)
• Maria Kynaston (born 1470), who married Hywel ap Jenkin
• Emma Kynaston, who married John Eyton of Rhiwabon (Ruabon)

Military Service and Achievements

Sir Roger Kynaston had an impressive military and public service career.

Key Roles and Battles

In 1454, he became the Constable of Denbigh Castle, meaning he was in charge of its defense. He fought in the Battle of Blore Heath on September 23, 1459. During this battle, he famously defeated the Lancastrian commander, Lord Audley. After this victory, Kynaston even added parts of Lord Audley's family crest to his own family's coat of arms.

Roger Kynaston served as the High Sheriff of Shropshire twice, first in 1461 and again in 1470. This role involved keeping law and order in the county. He was knighted on the battlefield in 1471 after the Battle of Tewkesbury, a great honor for his bravery. In 1484, he was given a lifetime appointment as Escheator and High Sheriff of Merionethshire and was also made Constable of Harlech Castle.

A famous Welsh poet, Guto'r Glyn, who lived from 1445 to 1475, even wrote a special poem called a "cywydd" to honor Sir Roger Kynaston.

Plas Kynaston Estate

Roger Kynaston also gave his name to an estate called Plas Kynaston. These lands were located in Cefn Mawr, in North Wales, and were part of his property.

Historian Dennis Davies wrote about the time when Henry Tudor (who would become King Henry VII) was marching through Wales in 1485. Henry needed to pass safely through areas where Sir Roger Kynaston was in charge of the Grey family's lands. Henry wrote to Sir Roger, hoping he would not stop his journey. Whatever Sir Roger's decision, Henry was able to pass safely through to Shrewsbury, which was an important gateway to central England.