Unit 4: Act of Union

Question 1

Year? Context

Answer 1

1536

- The king was to rule over 6 counties known as the principality of Wales (Crown Lands)

Question 2

Before Act of Union

Answer 2

the king did not rule the whole of Wales. The rest of the country was a patch of lordships - areas ruled by independent Marcher Lords. They felt they were kings of their own land. They held their own courts, raised taxes, appointed officials and often had their own armies ; they didn’t follow the kings rules

Question 3

Events

Answer 3

1529 - reformation parliament was taking place

• Rhys ap Grufudd had conflict with Henry VIII
• 1525 - Bishop Ferrers was sent by Wolsey to sort out Wales, but came into conflict w RAG
• RAG was arrested in Camarthen, and sent to Tower of London
• When RAG was released, he felt he lost his power, but was then re-arrested
• Rowland Lee was sent to Wales to bring in Law and Order . He hated the Welsh. ‘Hanging Bishop’ due to number of Welsh he executed. he opposed act of Union as he felt the Welsh weren’t trustworthy

Question 4

Issues

Answer 4

• welshmen wanted a say in the running of the country
• farming in Wales was difficult because the amount of land was becoming too small
• The King wanted Wales to be the same as England in all ways
• Wales was lawless and wild
• The king was not sure whether the Welsh would obey the pope or accept the Act of Supremacy
• not all of Wales came under the rule of the King - some was ruled by Marcher Lords

Question 5

Solutions

Answer 5

• Wales will now have its own members of Parliament
• Land in Wales was to be given to the eldest son instead of being shared equally
• Wales is joined with England and the people of Wales have the same rights as those of England
• the laws in Wales will be the same as they are in the rest of the Kingdom
• the monasteries in Wales were dissolved and the land would become Henry’s
• Wales was to be split into counties and the marcher lords would come to an end