Matthew Baker, Liege man and Squire For The Body to Kings Henry VII, & Henry VIII

Matthew Baker, 1450-1513 - the Great Esquire for Henry VII & Henry VIII

This being Drachenwald, no-one has objected to my re-creating the persona of Matthew Baker, 1450-1513, - lifelong companion and longest-serving Squire of the Body to Henry Tudor.

This Research began in 2003 - when the Events Manager of the Jersey Museum Service asked me to write a Playlet about a 1494 Plot involving Matthew Baker for performance at Gorey castle;  and play the part myself.

Baker always managed to stay 'below the radar' of court observers of his own time - and of later historians more-focused on the "noble names" at Henry's Court.

Spoke and wrote Breton, - French, - Latin, - and also imperfect Welsh since he'd been Henry's childhood companion in the Herbert's Household at Pembroke and Raglan from 1464.

Had gone into exile in Brittany in the Tudor's train in 1471 at the age of 21.

He fought at Redemore Fight, 22-8-1485, as a member of Henry's bodyguard - [a Personal Protection Officer in modern terms].

Member of the King's 'affinity' and a permanent member of the inner Privy Chamber staff; required to bear arms at all times when attending on the King, to whom he had 24/7 access.

Soldier, Archer, Jouster, - huntsman of game, - and of men - with and for Henry; Security Chief at Chateau de Sosciniou in Brittany; appointed 2nd Governor of the [front-line Post of the Anglo-Norman] Isle of Jersey for 8 years, 1486-1494 - with vice-regal Powers in all but name. Diplomat to 5 Polities - Burgundy, Brittany, France, Sicily, and the Papacy, - some several times. Diplomatic greeter, granted "4 goodly howses withyn th'Pale and Saint Magrat's Towr" in the old Palace of Westminster to have suitable Lodgings to entertain VIP's and guests coming to meet with Henry on covert official business, when Baker acted as "a backstairs conduit" to and from King Henry.

Created "Master of Heaven, Purgatory & Hell" [Security Chief for the three Legal areas of Westminster Hall]

Was successively granted the Manoir de St Germayne, Jersey, in 1485, as his "Island HQ"; which he then exchanged in 1494 on leaving the island, - for the more prosperous Manor of Flygtt in the Isle of Wight "for Life" - both grants being of Henry's great favour since most of Henry's property grants were only to be held "at pleasure".

Armiger who twice refused knighthood in 1494 and in 1504, telling Henry he felt it "greater honour to remain as [his] Squire for the Body, - and that he wished nothing more"! (As reported by the Papal Nuncio to his Master the Pope, - and by the Spanish Ambassador -  in still-extant letters.)

But - during a Diplomatic mission to Louis XII's Court at Grenoble, concerning the matter of the fugitive John de la Pole, - Baker had to accept elevation to being a "Companion de l'Ordre de Saint-Michel" by Louis XII for diplomatic reasons. [The two men had known each-other since the Breton Exile,over 10 years previously, when the French king had been Duc Louis d'Orleans, a supporter of Anne de Bretagne and Breton Independence!]

Was also on personal terms with Anne De Beaujeu & Pierre De Beaujeu [Regents of France], Charles VIII of France, Duc Francois II De Bretagne, Duchesse Anne De Bretagne, - and many of the Breton Ducal Court - because of meetings with them - either with Henry Tudor -  or as Henry's confidential courier - during the 13 year long Exile. [In both Brittany and France the Tudors were "royally lodged", and welcomed at both Courts.]

Baker is known to have met King Rèné of Sicily, Count of Anjou, [who had written 'The Book of Love' & 'The Book of Tournaments'] when accompanying Henry to visit Réné's Court at Tarascon in the late 1470's while Henry was being inspired by French ideas about Chivalry and Tournaments as "safer combat-training".

Was one of the 14 witnesses, - Privy Chamber Officers, King's Servants, Doctors and Clergy, -  around Henry VII's bed in the secret death chamber in the Palace of Sheen, at 11pm, 21st April, 1509.

Rode as temporary Master of the Horse in the Great tournament of Westminster, February, 1511.

Finished his career "in harness" as Warden of the Abbey of St. Saviour, Bermondsey, Master of Bethlem, and Squire For The Body to the young King Henry VIII.

Was buried before the image of St Saviour in the Abbey of Bermondsey.

Survived by one son, to whom he bequeathed £200 to pay for his education.

His Will is still extant in the National Archives, and I have a copy.

I also have two contemporary sketches depicting Matthew Baker.