Thomas White, Mayor of Tenby

Name and Title: Thomas White, Mayor of Tenby

Born: Unknown

Died: 8 May 1483

Buried: St Mary’s Church, Tenby, Pembrokeshire

Unless you are a Henry VIII aficionado, you will not likely recognise the name ‘Thomas White’. However, if Thomas had not come to the rescue in June 1471, we may not have had a Tudor dynasty at all! For Thomas White was the man who, legend says, helped Jasper Tudor and the 14-year-old Henry Tudor flee from England following the crushing Lancastrian defeat at the Battle of Tewkesbury. At the time, they were probably among the most wanted men in England. Had they been apprehended by Yorkist supporters, they would likely have been summarily executed as key Lancastrian protagonists, just as Edward, Prince of Wales, had been following his capture at Tewkesbury.

But who was Thomas White? White was six times mayor of Tenby between 1457 and 1481. He was also a wealthy mine merchant and influential man in the town, as well as a friend and neighbour of Jasper Tudor: their affluent townhouses were sited next to one another, opposite St Mary’s Church and close to the current Tudor Square at the heart of Tenby town centre. As such, the Whites and the Tudors knew each other well, with Thomas White being a staunch supporter of the Lancastrian cause.

Following the Battle of Tewkesbury, Jasper and Henry fled to Jasper’s H.Q., Pembroke Castle, where they were besieged by Yorkist supporters. The pair escaped, possibly via the enormous prehistoric cave beneath Pembroke Castle called Wogan’s Cave. At the time, the tidal waters of the estuary meant that the waters came right up to the mouth of the cave, allowing an easy escape by boat, no doubt under the cover of night.

For Jasper, it seemed, had a plan; that was to reach Tenby, which was a busy port lying further east along the Pembrokeshire coast. From there, the pair could board a ship bound for France, where they might throw themselves upon the mercy of the French king. It was probably the lesser of two evils.

So, within the medieval walls of Tenby, the uncle and nephew took refuge in Jasper’s townhouse: Jasperley House. Fortuitously, its cellars were connected to a series of underground tunnels. According to one source, one of the tunnels led across the road to St Mary’s Church and another to the neighbouring cellars of White’s house. These cellars, in turn, were connected to yet another tunnel that led down to the harbour – perfect for yet another secret escape!

Unusually, Thomas White owned a ship outright (At the time, it was more usual that men bought into a portion of a ship amounting to 1/60th, which allowed the vessel’s owners to spread the financial risk in case the cargo or ship were lost at sea). This made White’s boat the perfect getaway vehicle! And so the legend goes that after sheltering in the cellars under Thomas’ house for a few days until the ship was ready, on 2 June 1471, Jasper and Henry made their final escape, eventually landing and seeking refuge in Brittany. 

They would not return to English shores until 7 August 1485. Two weeks later, on 22 August, Henry’s Lancastrian army clashed with those of King Richard III. Henry Tudor emerged victorious after Richard was slain in battle. 

After Henry became king, he did not forget Thomas White’s loyalty and courage. Although Thomas had died two years earlier and never saw Henry Tudor become King Henry VII, the latter rewarded the family by granting them the manor of Tenby and the lease of lands around the town.

The Tomb of Thomas White

You will find the tomb of Thomas White in St Mary’s Church, adjacent to Tudor Square in the centre of town. The current church dates to between the thirteenth-fifteenth centuries. Thomas’ tomb can be found to the right of the chancel, sandwiched beneath an arch that occupies the space between the chancel and St Thomas’ Chapel.

There are two recumbent tomb effigies to be found here; both lie atop stone chests. One is of Thomas White, and the other of his son, John (who was mayor seven times between 1482 and 1498). 

Thomas is dressed as a merchant, with a girdle and purse about his waist. His head rests on a peacock, apparently, part of his maternal arms. There is an inscription: Here lies Thomas White, merchant and mayor of this town who died 8th day of May 1483 on whose soul God be merciful Amen.

From another inscription, we know that he was married twice; the first time to Johanna  Howell, who died on 21 September 1451 and the second time to Isabella. If you want more details about the carving around the tomb and who they depict, click here to read more.

Although not related to the tomb, in case you are interested, both Jasperley House and White’s former townhouse have entirely disappeared, although an 1812 drawing of the high street shows an image of the ruins of White’s house (see below). Boots the Chemist now occupies this site, and although the frontage is Victorian, the structure of the building is much older. 

The cellar of White’s house still exists at the back of Boots, and the blocked-up entrance to the harbour tunnel can still be seen. However, there is no public access to the cellars. But if you ask at the nearby Tudor Merchant’s House as I did, they may well be able to direct you to the point down in the harbour where the tunnel once emerged, and Jasper and Henry made their daring escape.