Once I was a clever boy learning the arts of Oxford... is a quotation from the verses written by Bishop Richard Fleming (c.1385-1431) for his tomb in Lincoln Cathedral. Fleming, the founder of Lincoln College in Oxford, is the subject of my research for a D. Phil., and, like me, a son of the West Riding. I have remarked in the past that I have a deeply meaningful on-going relationship with a dead fifteenth century bishop... it was Fleming who, in effect, enabled me to come to Oxford and to learn its arts, and for that I am immensely grateful.


Sunday 22 August 2021

Rhys ap Thomas and Bosworth


On this anniversary of Bosworth I came across two videos which deal with the life of Rhys ap Thomas (1449-1525)  who played a key part in the Bosworth campaign and in the battle itself. It may have been Rhys himself or one of his soldiers who actually killed King Richard III. He went on to become a knight, a Privy Councillor, the key man in the administration of South Wales and a Knight of the Garter.

The shorter video serves as an introduction and can be seen at Rhys ap Thomas -- the Kingmaker of Llandeilo

The longer one is, of course, much more detailed, and, apart from the almost inevitable video trope of figures wandering around in mood-filled scenes on historic sites, has a lot of detail. It has some excellent camera coverage of places associated with Rhys and his family, their lives and times, as well as comments from experts. It can be seen at Medieval Conspiracy & Betrayal: The Man Who Killed Richard III


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