Localities in Governance Flashcards
What are Marcher regions?
Regions on the boarder with Scotland and Wales which were traditionally the first line of defence against invasion. They had developed their own laws and customs and were governed by members of the nobility who had so much power that they were essentially “quasi Kings.”
What were the Principalitys of Wales?
Welsh lands that were conquered in the 13th centaury. They were traditionally given to the Prince of Wales and were under the English Crown. They included, Flint, Anglesey, Carnarvon and Camarthan. They were distinct from Marcher regions.
What were 2 problems with the Welsh legal system before the 1530s?
They still had blood fueds being legally recognised. The laws were different in different regions so a criminal in Wales could escape to the Marcher regions and not be punished as it wasn’t illegal there.
Why was control of Wales and the marcher regions so important?
It was possible for nobels to build up power in these more remote locations, such as how Henry Tudor had done in Pembroke which resulted in him overthrowing Richard the third. This was seen to be a real threat in 1521 when Edward Stafford, the Duke of Buckingham, who had a Plantagenet claim to the throne, visited his estates in Wales with 400 armed troops. This arossed the suspicions of Henry the 8th who had him executed fot treason.
How did the Tudors attempt to control the marcher regions before 1537?
By using the Council of Wales and the Marches which had been introduced in the 1470s. The council was headed at Ludlow Castle by a member of the Tudors trusted family. Jasper Tudor was the Head at one point, so was Arthur and Princess Mary to try and establish a royal presence within Wales who both had their own royal courts there.
How was the North controlled under Henry the 7th?
There was a always the threat of invasion from Scotland, especially due to his posistion as a usper. There were 3 marcher regions on the boarder, controlled by Wardens. Regions such as Yorkshire had been very loyal to Richard the third and they suffered economic hardship. the Earl of Northumberland, Henry Percy had been murdered in a revolt as he was in charge of collecting taxes in the area in 1489. Hebry took the opportunity to appoint the Earl of Surrey as lutinent to keep the North loyal, this stayed until 1499 when the power reverted to the traditional Northern nobility. This nobility was constantly involved in traditional fueds with one another.
How was the North governed under Henry the 8th before 1536?
He attempted to revive the council of the North by appointing his illegitimate son, Henry Fitzroy as President of the Council. However, Fitzroy died in 1536, before the Pilgrimage of Grace and before Henry Fitzroy was made deputy of the North.
How was the Council of the North governed under Henry the 8th after 1536?
As a result of the Pilgrimage of Grace, Cromwell decided to remodel the Council of the North in 1537. gave it power to hear and decide matters of treason, murder and felony. They also became responsible for passing and enforcing all royal proclamations and orders made for sheriffs and JPs. It oversaw food supplies, regulated trade and organized musters for local military campaigns. The territory was expanded to include not only Yorkshire, but Durham, Westmorland, Northumberland and Cumberland. A official headquarters was made for the council in York, the house of a former priory. Southerners or people from the Midlands were also put as head of the council, a bishop from Wales was head of the council at one point. This signaled the decline of the traditional Northern family’s.
Who did Thomas Cromwell appoint in 1534?
Rowland Lee as the Lord President of the Council of Wales, he was given sweeping powers to tackle crime and disorder in the religion.
What law was passed in 1535?
The Law in Wales Act.
What was the Law in Wales Act 1535?
Passed in 1536 in the English parliament, it is sometimes referred to as the Act of Unity. It changed the structure of Welsh Government. Wales was split up into 12 English Style counties, the marcher regions and the principality of Wales was abolished. Welsh was band from being spoken in courts. Each welsh county and town were allocated two MPs to sit in English Parliament, who had never been involved in English law making before.
What was the main result of the law in Wales act?
The decline of power of the traditional Marcher Earls. This had begun with the excecution of the Duke of Buckingham in 1521, but was legalized through the law in Wales Act. This significantly made the threat of Wales decline.
What were felony’s?
A capital crime that did not include treason. This included offences such as arson, witchcraft and heresy. This was punishable by death or forfeiture of land.
Why were councilors of the Council of the North often full of knowledge of the area under Henry 8th?
They were also often appointed as JPs. As a result the council developed as a body that could oversee the administration of the North, control border raids and manage local order.
What are 3 examples of the traditional powerful Northern family’s?
The Neville’s, the Percies and the Dacres.
