Gruffydd ap Rhys ap Thomas facts for kids
Sir Gruffydd ap Rhys (born around 1478, died 1521) was an important Welsh nobleman. He was the son of Sir Rhys ap Thomas, who was a very powerful leader in south-west Wales. His father helped Henry Tudor win a big battle called Bosworth Field in 1485.
Gruffydd's Early Life
When Richard III was king, he worried about Gruffydd's father, Rhys ap Thomas. Richard wanted to make sure Rhys would stay loyal. So, in 1483, Richard asked Rhys to promise his loyalty and even demanded that young Gruffydd, who was only about four or five years old, be placed in his care. Rhys promised to be loyal but refused to hand over his son.
As Gruffydd grew older, he joined the household of Prince Arthur, who was the son of Henry VII of England. King Henry VII wanted his son to be friends with young men whose fathers were powerful in the kingdom. Gruffydd's father was one of the most important men in Wales, so Gruffydd was chosen to serve the young Prince.
Gruffydd and Prince Arthur became quite close. In 1501, Gruffydd was made a Knight of the Garter, which is a very special award. He was with Prince Arthur and his new wife, Catherine of Aragon, when they returned to Ludlow in December 1501. Gruffydd was also there when Prince Arthur sadly passed away in April 1502.
Prince Arthur's Funeral
When Prince Arthur died in 1502, Gruffydd ap Rhys was one of the main people mourning his death. He traveled with the Prince's body from Ludlow to its final resting place in Worcester.
Records from that time say that Gruffydd rode in front of the carriage carrying the Prince's body. He wore clothes for mourning and rode a horse decorated in black. He also carried the Prince's special flag. During the funeral service at Worcester Cathedral, Gruffydd again carried Arthur's richly decorated flag.
Gruffydd's Family and Later Years
Around the year 1500, Gruffydd married Catherine St John. Catherine's mother was related to Lady Margaret Beaufort, who was King Henry VII's mother. Catherine was chosen to serve Catherine of Aragon in October 1501.
Gruffydd and Catherine had one son named Rhys ap Griffith (born 1508, died 1531). Sadly, Rhys ap Griffith was later executed by Henry VIII for treason. He was seen as a threat to the king.
In 1520, Gruffydd was with Prince Arthur's younger brother, King Henry VIII, when Henry traveled to France for a famous meeting called the Field of the Cloth of Gold. This was a grand event where the kings of England and France met.
Sir Gruffydd ap Rhys's tomb is in Worcester Cathedral, in the same place as Prince Arthur's tomb.
After Gruffydd's death, his wife Catherine married Peter Edgecumbe. Later, in 1543, a friend suggested to Henry VIII that Catherine should join the household of Mary, Queen of Scots in Scotland. However, this plan was stopped by a war known as the Rough Wooing.
