Control over Wales

Question 1

Henry VII & VIII

Answer 1

Marcher regions – areas that bordered Wales and Scotland, hardest to control
-Own laws and customs
-First line of defence against foreign invasion
-Despite the Principality of Wales, had own legal system which depended on the local marcher lords’ power and
control
-Blood feuds and lawlessness
-Threat of noble power – legal and military power as quasi kings, militarised regions enabled them to build power bases (Henry VII - army to defeat Richard III on his estates at Pembroke Duke of Buckingham had landed estates in Wales)

Question 2

Temp attempts to control before 1530s

Answer 2

council based at Ludlow Castle headed by most trusted Tudor nobility:

• 1490 Jasper Tudor, Duke of Bedford (Henry VII’s uncle) - head of the council
• 1501 15 year old Prince Arthur sent to create permanent royal presence in the region - died in 1502
• 1525 Henry VIII sent Princess Mary as a figurehead for the Council of Wales - returned to London in 1528

UNTIL THOMAS CROMWELL ROSE TO PROMINENCE IN THE 1530S THAT A MORE LASTING SOLUTION TO EXTENDING ROYAL AUTHORITY INTO WALES AND ITS MARCHES WAS FOUND, LAWS IN WALES ACT

Question 3

Law in Wales Act 1535 (Act of Union)

Answer 3

-Response to lawlessness and the limitations of royal authority Cromwell introduces permanent changes by changing the structure of Welsh government
-Appointed Rowland Lee to act as Lord President of the Council of Wales – tasked with tackling crime and disorder:
-Marcher lordships abolished and replaced with 12 English-style counties
- English system of local government – sheriffs, coroners and JPs
-Banned use of Welsh in the courts
- Welsh counties and towns allocated 2 MPs who would sit in English parliament – previously hadn’t participated in law making
-End to traditional military power of marcher lords – began with execution of Duke of Buckingham,
legalised through 1535 act

WALES REMAINED DIRECTLY UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE CROWN; LAW AND ORDER IMPROVED AND THE REGION BECAME LESS OF A THREAT TO POLITICAL STABILITY

Question 4

Law in Wales Act 1542

Answer 4

Introduced system of English law into Wales, bringing an end to the traditional Welsh system – inc. end to blood feuds
- New system of law courts – courts of great sessions, tried criminal cases such as theft or attack with no
chance to appeal
- Reorganised the Council of Marches into the Council of Wales - more formal body with president and vice
president appointed by the monarch
- Right to hear legal cases in a similar manner to the English Star Chamber
- Oversee law and order in Wales and former marcher counties
- In Elizabeth’s reign the marcher Council had adapted further to include Lord Lieutenants