Reasons for & impact of the Acts of Union in Wales

Question 1

Question 1
Why did ambitious Welsh gentlemen support union with England?

Answer 1

Wanted better job opportunities - E.g. MPs, Sheriffs, Justices of the Peace

Question 2

Question 2
How did Welsh law differ from English law?

Answer 2

• Different inheritance laws, creating legal inconsistencies.
• Welsh law still applied in parts of Wales & Henry wanted uniform English governance.

Question 3

Question 3
What problems did crime in the Marches cause?

Answer 3

• High levels of lawlessness, including cattle stealing, robbery & murder.
• Henry wanted to establish order by incorporating Wales fully into England.

Question 4

Question 4
How did dissatisfaction among the Welsh influence Henry VIII’s decisions?

Answer 4

Many Welsh were annoyed they lacked the same rights as English people - Henry aimed to secure their loyalty.

Question 6

Question 5
How did criminals take advantage of Welsh autonomy?

Answer 6

English lawbreakers fled to Wales for safety, avoiding prosecution.

Question 7

Question 6
Why did Henry VIII fear the power of the Marcher Lords?

Answer 7

• Some acted like independent rulers, ignoring royal authority.
• Protected criminals, making law enforcement difficult.

Question 8

Question 7
How did Henry VIII’s divorce increase Welsh tensions?

Answer 8

• Many Marcher Lords were Catholic, angry at Henry’s split with Rome.
• Henry feared they might ally with his Catholic enemies to undermine his rule.

Question 9

Question 8
Why did Wales’ geography concern Henry VIII?

Answer 9

• Poorly defended coast - needed full control for invasion prevention.
• Henry feared Spanish & French forces could invade England via Wales.

Question 10

Question 9
Why did Henry VIII want religious control over Wales?

Answer 10

• Feared Welsh Catholics would continue obeying the Pope after the Break with Rome.
• Union allowed Protestant reforms to be enforced more easily.

Question 11

Question 10
When were the Acts of Union?

Answer 11

1536 & 1543.

Question 12

Question 11
What was the impact of changing Welsh inheritance laws?

Answer 12

• Improved farming efficiency, aligning inheritance laws with England - ✅
• Reduced land disputes, strengthening Henry VIII’s control - ✅
• Destroyed Welsh traditions, leaving younger sons without inheritance - ❌

Question 13

Question 12
How did Welsh parliamentary representation change?

Answer 13

• Welsh MPs gained influence, increasing noble loyalty to Henry VIII - ✅
• Mostly benefited wealthy elites, peasants remained politically powerless - ❌

Question 14

Question 13
What happened to Welsh monasteries?

Answer 14

• Henry VIII seized monastic land & wealth, cutting Catholic ties - ✅
• Poor communities lost monastic services, creating social hardship - ❌

Question 15

Question 14
How did local governance in Wales change?

Answer 15

• Strengthened royal control, making Wales more law-abiding - ✅
• Marcher Lords lost power, potentially leading to unrest - ❌

Question 16

Question 15
What impact did legal standardization have?

Answer 16

• Reduced crime & lawlessness in Wales - ✅
• Erased Welsh customs, anglicizing Wales - ❌

Question 17

Question 16
What were the consequences of establishing these courts?

Answer 17

• Improved law enforcement, making Wales safer for ordinary people - ✅
• Criminals could no longer escape justice easily - ❌

Question 18

Question 17
What legal changes to Wales helped prepare for union with England?

Answer 18

• Punishment for juries & officials guilty of perjury.
• Restrictions on ferry crossings during nighttime - to prevent escapees.
• Mandatory court appearances for those summoned.
• Ban on bringing weapons to court.
• Justices of the Peace established in Crown lands - Marcher Lords lost the power to appoint JPs.

Question 19

Question 18
What were the consequences of the Acts of Union?

Answer 19

• ✅ Wales gained a uniform system of governance.
• ✅ Marcher lordships abolished & replaced by structured counties.
• ✅ Welshmen granted same legal privileges as Englishmen.
• ❌ English made the official language.
• ✅ Economic shifts.
• ✅ Parliament recognized a distinct ‘Welsh interest’ during Elizabeth’s reign.
• ❌ Welsh literature declined, likely due to association with Catholicism & native culture.

Question 20

Question 19
Who was Rowland Lee & what was his role?

Answer 20

• Bishop of Lichfield, closely associated with Thomas Cromwell.
• Appointed President of the Council of Wales - 1534.
• Oversaw harsh enforcement of Tudor authority in Wales.

Question 21

Question 20
How did Rowland Lee maintain control?

Answer 21

• Inflicted capital punishment extensively - claimed execution 5,000 Welshmen.
• Reign of terror, prioritizing punishment over reform.
• Required Welshmen to adopt English names, eroding cultural identity.
• Opposed 1536 Act of Union, believing Wales shouldn’t receive equal legal status.

Question 22

Question 21
How did Lee’s influence end?

Answer 22

• Died in 1543, the same year the second Act was passed.
• Marked the transition to a more peaceful period in Welsh history.

Question 23

Question 22
Was the Acts of Union a turning point in Welsh history?

Answer 23

• ✅ Institutionalized English control, modernizing governance.
• ✅ Integrated Wales into England politically, providing parliamentary representation.
• ❌ Destroyed Welsh traditions, language, & autonomy.
• ✅ Secured Wales against potential foreign threats.