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be 1Roal Bational ;Eistebbfob.

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t- [COPYRIGHT.] be 1Roal Bational Eistebbfob. Carmarthen, Buoust, 1911 Ube IRaven a Sbort IRovel. (Ibtstorical) on Sír 1Rbs ap bonlas anb bis Uimcs. THB ABBBMARLAIS CBEST. 36$ei^nfab. SUBJECT NO. 2. SECTION B. PART II THE RAVEN. CHAPTER XVII. <• Come hither, England's hope: If secret; power. Suggest but truth to my divining thoughts This pretty lad will prove our country 6 bh- His looks are full of peaceful majesty, 5L head by nature framed to wear a crown, His hand to wield a sceptre; and himself Likely, in time, to bless a regal thr0^ While Rhys and Harry proceeded on their journey While Rhys and Ilarry proceedcd on the^^urney K SSrS'lt £ BO,worth, near U-.ccster, In^h^rojal'tOTt eat the man. reviled by some, (eftred and'humoured by others H» Buckingham, two years ago, and his triump^ throughout the country, encouraged and peered him. Seated near the King was the Duke ot £ S £ .bl.™ »ho had thus far ^d=d £ securing and retaining the good graces of the wily and oruel monarch. Vm-foik'' Dost thou believe these babblin0s, o • Richard I cannot find a reason for this iS The country ,s peaceful under my rule Was it not I that brought the country peace. Did T nnt Free mv people from the extortion of money on pretence 0f benevolence? The dawn has but just opened Its portals upon my poor inflicted country What of Buckingham, your Grace, w rising a sign of peace? answered Norfolk insinuat- in-!Buckingham, the traitor, is in his grave," sternly teS sittoS walks," added the Duk* of Nor- f°Riohard seized a glass of wine and drank it to the dr-SWhateIhatve I to do with the perambuktionis of ghosts, Norfolk? then he hastened J *sk "S ?u my ^Lord Duke, and heal all sore." said Richard as he strode within his tent. v^rfoll- "But what of Anne: queried NoifolU. •• Beyond the reach of all human phys-ic, was the f0He paused, and then suddenly confronted the ^What, Norfolk, is this phantom shaft of thine? pea.k plainly." Thine enemies have been diligent in spreading false reports. They say that Anne was by thee for failing to present a living heir to the throne. Yes, your Grace, Harry Richmond is in the nQt land jn England," said the King. But what of Wales?" said Norfolk. Rhys ap Thomas will guard those, shores, Nor- f°Both were soon called to the opening of the tent, for there was some unaccountable commotion in the vicinity. Madog Cootmor appeared and addressed 'k^Your Grace, let the trumpet sound, for Harry, Earl of Richmond, is near at hand, preparing to a^\Ve will greet him with a warmth he hardly expected," replied King Richard, Rhys ap Thomas will have followed him to assist his sovereign. He leads the van of Richmond's army, replied •• Another traitor Madog fill that cup with Madog Coetmor obeyed and handed the cup to the. j^rfnk to thee, Madog Coetmor, the only true Welshman I have ever met." Richard drank the wine, and, seizing his sword, aid, And now for Harry Richmond." The two rivals at last approached each other Harry Richmond appeared with an army of 6,000 men, while Richard had succeeded in bringing: to- gether an army of above double that number. The Welsh portion of Harry's forces were drawn from almost every county in Wales. The men of South Wales were led by Rhys-ap-Thomas; the men of Gwvnedd, comprising among their numbers the colliers and miners of Flintshire, 1,600 in number were under the command of Richard Mostyn of Mostyn; the men of Arfon were captained by the High Sheriff, Gwilym-ap Gruffydd-ap-Robin of Pen- bryn and Cochwillan; the men of Anglesea took the field under Rhys Bodyonain, and the men ot the upper country were led by Rhys Fawr ap-Mere- dith from Yspytty. Sir William Stanley appeared with an army ot 7 000 but held aloof, for a. time, in order to see which side would likely prove victorious. Only one Welsh chieftain was found in the ranks of King Richard, one Madog Coetmor. Bugles sounded, chargers were mounted, and the battle commenced. Richard and Norfolk did not precipitate themselves into the fray, but waited for tidings. Madog, mounted upon his war-horse, rode backward and forward, reporting the progress ot the conflict. At last he carne to the King with what proved to be his final message.. •' The King's army is retreating; Richmond is tast gaining the mastery: Syr William Stanley has joined his banner Fly your Graee, said Madog. "Fly, Madog, said Richard. "Not before Harry Richmond! With those words he dashed into the fray. He struck Sir William Brandon, trio standard bearer of the Earl. and killed him, he dismounted Sir John Cheyney, and he was now within reach of Rich- mond himelf. who was not loth to accept the engagement. Rhys ap Thomas and Sir illiam Stanley, seeing Richmond in danger, rushed to his assistance. Mr William lifted liis sword to strike, but Rhys ap Thomas cried out: ,„ "Hold thine hand, Stauley: Let a Welshman s sword cleave his skull, and bring again a descendant of Arthur to the throne." Richard fell dead on the Field of Bosworth, and his followers fled in every direction. One of Rhys attendants picked up the King's crown from beneath a bramble bu*h, and gave it to his master. Rhys placed the crown upon the head of tha victorious Harry, shouting Long live Harry Richmond! Long live the 0 ng. Harry turned to the Master of Aberma.: us d said: On thy kneeo brave Cymro. Rhvs knelt before his future King. The crowd thronged around Rhys ap Thomas, fcir WiUam Stanley and Harry.. Arise Sir Knight." said Richmond. The gallant Master of Abermarlais rose from his knees as Sir Rhys ap Thomas.. The Welshmen were txv-ides themselves witn joy, and. freeiug themselves of all restraint, shouted vociferously: Long live Sir Rhys! Long Hve King Henry- Richard'.■> body was thrown carelessly across a horse, and was carried to Leicester. There in Grey Friar's Church his remains were interred. Biographers are not in harmony as to the character and personal appearance of Richard the Third, this last representative of the House of Plantagenet. The historians of the subsequent reign, naturally painted his character in the blackest tint. and were tempted to exaggerate his deformity. Without a doubt he was energetic and courageous, but were h.- a paragon of virtue during his latter days, it would not have been sufficient compensation for the -o. "contagious example of vice and murder exalted upon a throne." Some writers represent hit personal appearance as of smali stature, hump-backed, and with a dis- agreeable countenance." Others maintain that his only defect was in having one shoulder a littlft higher than the other. Whatever his character and personal appearance might have been, of this we are assured, that he scrupled not to remove from his path any one who endangered the stability of a throne secured by murder and usurpation. The Earl of Richmond assumed the crown with the title of Henry the 7th. On the 30th of October he was crowned at Westminster by Cardinal Bour- chier. Arenhishop of Canterbury. Parliament enacted That the inheritance of the crown should rast, remain, and abide in the King. The Red Dragon triumphed over the White Dragon, according to the prophecy of Myrddin Emrys, for a Tudor, grandson of Owain Tudor, of Penmvnydd in Anglesea, sat upon the throne. King Henry did not forget the part played by Sir Rhys, and loaded him with honours. In addition to being knighted on the field of battle, the King conferred upon him the honour of King's Justice and Chief Governor of South Wales; Constable of Breck- nock; Chamberlain of the counties of Carmarthen and Cardiganshire, and supervisor of the Lordship of Builth. Having been thus honoured Sir Rhys returned to WaleB, and set about redressing grievances, and checking the rowdyism and disorder which had broken out during his absence owing to the lax rule of hi)9 two younger brothers. There were groat rejoicings throughout his vast domains on his return, and he appeared proudly, but not ostentatiously, bearing his honours. NOTES OX CHAPTER XVII. 1. Madog Coetmor: The historian Owen Jones, Manchester, says it was ono Rhys Fychan from North Wales. 2. Anne: Richard's consort, daughter of the Earl of Warwick, and widow of Edward, Prince of Wales: she had borne to him ono son who died: Anno was looked upon as an invincible obstacle to the settlement of his fortune, he was believed to have carried her off by poison.

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