Laws in Wales Act 1532 + 1542

Question 1

Extent of involvement

Answer 1

• Abolished marcher lordships, previously ruled by semi-autonomous nobles, and reorganised Wales into 12 English-style counties.
• Introduced JPs, sheriffs, coroners, and MPs, giving the Crown full political and legal control of the region.
• This was not just symbolic: it changed who ruled, how they ruled, and on what legal basis.

Question 2

Effectiveness

Answer 2

• After the Acts, Wales ceased to be a source of rebellion, despite its history of disorder in the late medieval period.
• The region became legally indistinguishable from England, ensuring long-term political loyalty and governance.
• Set a model of centralisation that wasn’t matched elsewhere in such a complete way.

Question 3

Breadth of impact

Answer 3

Though limited to Wales, its depth was unparalleled — it permanently altered Crown-locality relations.
This was a one-time structural transformation, not a temporary policy — it changed governance, representation, and enforcement.