Rhys ap Gruffydd

The coat of arms of Rhys's familyRhys ap Gruffudd (1508 – December 1531) was a powerful Welsh landowner who was accused of rebelling against King Henry VIII by plotting with James V of Scotland to become Prince of Wales. He was executed as a rebel. He married Lady Katherine Howard (b. abt 1499 Ashwellthorpe, Norfolk, England), the daughter of Thomas Howard, 2nd Duke of Norfolk and his second wife Agnes Tilney.

By this marriage, he became the uncle of Queen Anne Boleyn and Queen Katherine Howard, and granduncle of Queen Elizabeth Tudor.

Early life Rhys was the grandson of Rhys ap Thomas, the most powerful man in Wales and close ally of Henry VIII. His father, Gruffudd ap Rhys ap Thomas, died in 1521, leaving him his grandfather's heir. In 1524 Rhys married Katherine Howard, daughter of Thomas Howard, 2nd Duke of Norfolk.

His mother was Katherine St. John, Lady Edgecombe.

Conflict with Ferrers Rhys attempted to increase his status in Wales, petitioning Cardinal Thomas Wolsey to be given various posts. The potential for conflict with Ferrers increased when both men were given the right to extend their number of retainers; this led to the emergence of competing armed gangs.

Historian Ralph Griffith asserts that "Rhys's execution...was an act of judicial murder based on charges devised to suit the prevailing political and dynastic situation". Since it was linked to Henry's attempt to centralise power and break with the church of Rome, he argues that it "in retrospect made him [Rhys] one of the earliest martyrs of the English Reformation." Rhys was believed to be opposed to the Reformation and had spoken disparagingly of Anne Boleyn. He had also been friendly with Katherine of Aragon and Cardinal Wolsey, so ridding himself of Rhys helped Henry to prepare the ground for the Reformation. The execution led to fears of a Welsh rebellion. One clergyman was concerned that the Welsh and Irish would join together.