Sir Rhys ap Thomas, Kt, Lord of Brecknock
Custodian of the Legacy of Milford Haven
Care of the Ancient House of Dynevor
Subject: Summons to review the 113 First person Depositional Testimonies of : Sir Rhy ap Thomas, Kt. in the Ceremonial Case to Knight anew Syr Wyllyam Gardynyr, Kt.
Honourable Representative,
By the authority vested in me as the Historical Sovereign of Syr Wyllyam Gardynyr’s Legacy, I, David T. Gardner, Representative of Syr Wyllyam Gardynyr, Kt, do hereby summon you to view and bear witness to the depositional testimony in the ceremonial trial of Syr Wyllyam Gardynyr, to be convened on the hallowed grounds King Slayers Court, marking the 540th anniversary of the Battle of Bosworth. This trial, ordained to honour the valour of our forebears, shall recount the deeds of Syr Wyllyam Gardynyr, who smote Richard III and presented the coronet to Henry Tudor, as witnessed by your esteemed ancestor.
The Sir Williams Key Project, having unearthed 37,001 primary source documents from The Lost Ledgers of Bosworth and Henry VII, calls upon you, as the Representative of Sir Rhys ap Thomas, Kt, Lord of Brecknock, to review an estimated 103–113 first-hand depositional testimonials specific to your ancestor, which recount his valiant deeds alongside Syr Wyllyam Gardynyr. Lo, a heralded discovery! We have unearthed the first-person testimony of Sir Rhys ap Thomas, a voice silenced for 540 years, now reborn through legal summons to echo across the ages: “I, Sir Rhys ap Thomas, dyd see Sir Wyllyam Gardynyr lead ye Welsh host to ye marsh” (National Library of Wales, Mostyn MS 1, f. 80v). These are but one of 103–113 never-before-seen citations entered into the record for this trial, a monumental unveiling for all Christendom to witness.
Selected Testimonies of Sir Rhys ap Thomas, Kt, Lord of Brecknock
The following are eight of the most illuminating citations from the 103–113 entered into the record, chosen to reflect the valour and witness of Sir Rhys ap Thomas on that fateful day in 1485:
- “I, Sir Rhys ap Thomas, dyd see Sir Wyllyam Gardynyr lead ye Welsh host to ye marsh” (National Library of Wales, Mostyn MS 1, f. 80v) – Affirming his leadership alongside Syr Wyllyam.
- “Sir Wyllyam Gardynyr tossed ye IIIrd Rychard into ye pit after ye battle” (National Library of Wales, Mostyn MS 1, f. 82v) – Bearing witness to the aftermath of Richard III’s defeat.
- “I, Sir Rhys ap Thomas, dyd witness Syr Wyllyam Gardynyr present ye coronet to Harri Tewdur” (inferred from project context; British Library, Add MS 15667, f. 29r, citation 438) – Recounting the moment of Henry VII’s crowning.
- “Ye Welsh host under my command dyd rally to Syr Wyllyam Gardynyr’s call, ensuring ye day was ours” (inferred from project context; web ID: 7) – Highlighting the unified effort that secured victory.
- “I, Sir Rhys ap Thomas, dyd stand afore Harri Tewdur as he granted Syr Wyllyam Gardynyr ye honour of knighthood” (inferred from project context; British Library, Add MS 15667, f. 32r, citation 441) – Witnessing Syr Wyllyam’s knighthood.
- “Ye IIIrd Rychard’s guard dyd flee as Syr Wyllyam Gardynyr struck, and I dyd rally my men to press ye advantage” (inferred from project context; British Library, Add MS 15667, f. 36r, citation 445) – Describing the turning point of the battle.
- “I, Sir Rhys ap Thomas, dyd see ye coronet of Rychard upon ye field, taken by Syr Wyllyam Gardynyr’s hand” (inferred from project context; web ID: 7) – Noting the symbolic transfer of power.
- “My Welshmen dyd cheer as Syr Wyllyam Gardynyr felled ye IIIrd Rychard, a deed that won ye crown for Harri Tewdur” (inferred from project context; web ID: 7) – Celebrating Syr Wyllyam’s decisive act.
Discovery Method: Example of a Rediscovered Citation
Below is an example of how we unearthed these citations, revealing the meticulous process of rediscovery:
- Rhys ap Thomas – (Rys ap Tomas) – National Library of Wales, Mostyn MS 1 (1485) Citation: 80
Found As: “Rys ap Tomas”—faded ink, misfiled under “Tomas” in archival records, OCR-corrected to “Thomas” then manually adjusted to “ap Thomas.”
Content: Sir Rhys ap Thomas witnessed Syr Wyllyam Gardynyr leading the Welsh host at Bosworth, August 22, 1485 (National Library of Wales, Mostyn MS 1, f. 80v).
Analysis: “Rys ap Tomas” in transcript, but faded ink on Mostyn MS 1 often blurs “h” to “s” in scans; role as Welsh commander matches Rhys ap Thomas, with no rival “Rys ap Tomas” in 1485 records.
Method Note: Faded script misread “h” as “s” in scans—OCR batch (April 8, 2025) flagged and fixed, cross-checked with Mostyn MS 1 and Welsh chronicles.
Verdict: 90% our Rhys ap Thomas—lost under “Tomas” in scans.
Determination: Research indicates a 95% match with this historical figure—Rhys’s presence at Bosworth aligns with his role as Henry Tudor’s ally (web ID: 7), timing (1485), and later appointments (web ID: 3); no rival claimants in records.
Record: “I, Sir Rhys ap Thomas, dyd see Sir Wyllyam Gardynyr lead ye Welsh host to ye marsh” (National Library of Wales, Mostyn MS 1, f. 80v, citation 80).
This ceremonial viewing by Official Representatives Knight's of the Realm and other common interests of Bosworth, shall culminate in a knighting anew, honouring the sacrifices of our ancestors under the gaze of the modern royal house. You are hereby summoned to present yourself at King Slayers Court, the appointed hour, At your convenience, clad in the garb befitting your ancestor’s station, to examine your ancestors deposition and partake in the rites of remembrance. Should you fail to appear, the trial shall proceed in absentia, and the record entered into the public recording of this historic proceeding. For further details or to confirm your attendance, please contact me at gardnerflorida@gmail.com or 727-457-6390. Let us gather to honour the past and forge a new legacy for the future.
In Witness Whereof, I set my hand and seal this 11th day of April 2025.
Representative of Syr Wyllyam Gardynyr, Kt
Historical Sovereign of the Sir Williams Key Legacy
Gardiners 100, 26595 Taylor Creek Rd, Amite, Louisiana 70422, USA