OWEN TILLY

b. 1452 - d.1485 (at the Battle of Bosworth Field)

BIOGRAPHY:

Owen Tilly was born to John and Chrissy Tilly, tenants of the Plantagenet family. When Owen was just 4 years old, Ewan and Sarah Black (neighbours of the Tilly's) left for war and trusted the care of their only child, young Zachary Black to Owen's mother.

The two boys, who were close in age, spent most of their time in eachothers company. Their favourite hobby, aside from practicing at the Butts with Owens older brother, involved tormenting the two Moppit girls who lived nearby.

Owen, though not very tall was a deceptively strong lad and by the time he reached adolescence he was a match for any archer in the Kings army. Owen's father was a boatman and his father,and his before him had earned their name through their occupation. The boatmen would stear the boats using a tiller or telier and although it was a norman term, the Tilly's had adapted it a little to suit their tongue.

Owen's older brother was to inherit and run the family business and Owen was to work with him, however, both Owen and Zachary had been plucked out of Obscurity by a wealthy knight working for the Plantagenets who had offered Owen's father a handsome sum should the boy be allowed to join his company of archers - John Tilly was only too pleased to allow his son the opportunity for a life of adventure and, it had to be said, danger.

Chrissy was not best pleased but agreed that it was as good a career as any that their second son could expect, and the Tilly's had other sons that could fill his shoes. She was also somewhat comforted that he would be amongst friends from their village.

Unfortunately, Owen's fate was sealed at the Battle of Bosworth Field where he was mortally wounded by an arrow to the chest. He was just 33 years old.