Control over Wales

Question 1

What was the government of Wales like under Henry VII and Henry VIII?

Answer 1

• Marcher regions – areas that bordered Wales and Scotland, hardest to control:
  1. Own laws and customs.

2. First line of defence against foreign invasion.
3. Despite the Principality of Wales, had own legal system which depended on the local marcher lords’ power and control.
4. Blood feuds and lawlessness.
5. Threat of noble power – legal and military power as quasi kings, militarised regions enabled them to build power bases (Henry VII raised army to defeat Richard III on his estates at Pembroke, Edward Stafford, Duke of Buckingham had landed estates in Wales, executed for treason in 1521).

DURING THE COURSE OF THE TUDOR PERIOD TRADITIONAL NOBLE POWERS WERE ERODED AS ROYAL CONTROL WAS EXTENDED MORE DIRECLTY INTO THESE REGIONS

Question 2

What were the temporary attempts to control Wales before the 1530’s?

Answer 2

• Used the Council of Wales and the Marches – council based at Ludlow Castle and was headed by most trusted Tudor nobility:

> 1490 Jasper Tudor, Duke of Bedford (Henry VII’s uncle) became head of the council.

> 1501 15 year old Prince Arthur sent to create permanent royal presence in the region, but died in 1502.

> 1525 Henry VIII sent daughter Princess Mary as a figurehead for the Council of Wales, but returned to London in 1528.

NOT 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

Why was the Law in Wales Act 1535 (Act of Union) made?

Answer 3

o Response to lawlessness and the limitations of royal authority Cromwell introduces permanent changes by changing the structure of Welsh government.

o Appointed Rowland Lee to act as Lord President of the Council of Wales – tasked with tackling crime and disorder:

1. Marcher lordships abolished and replaced with 12 English-style counties.
2. English system of local government – sheriffs, coroners and JPs.
3. Banned use of Welsh in the courts.
4. Welsh counties and towns allocated 2 MPs who would sit in English parliament – previously Welsh regions hadn’t participated in law making.
5. End to traditional military power of marcher lords – began with execution of Duke of Buckingham, legalised through 1535 act.

FOR THE REST OF THE PERIOD 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

What did the Law in Wales Act of 1542 introduce?

Answer 4

o Introduced system of English law into Wales, bringing an end to the traditional Welsh system – included end to blood feuds.

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