Rhys was the last king from the House of Deheubarth, and the first of the kings in Exile (being Rhys, Rhisiart I and Rhisiart II). His reign began with the death of his father, Dafydd at the Battle of Cardiff (28th August 1718) and its beginings were bathed in blood and flight. Duke Owain of Dyfed is appointed the Kings Protector, and with the cream of the Kings Household Guard providing protection the young king flees into exile on the 2nd September 1718, landing in France some two weeks later.