Over the Body of Rhys ap Thomas

Welsh tradition credits Rhys ap Thomas with the blow that killed Richard III at Bosworth on 22 August 1485. Earlier Rhys had written to Richard that anyone who landed in his part of Wales to trouble the state would have to make his way over his belly. When he chose Henry Tudor’s side instead, he welcomed Henry ashore at Milford Haven and eased his conscience by lying down on the ground so that Henry could pass over his body. Henry afterwards always honoured him with the title of Father Rhys.