Laws in Wales Acts 1535 and 1542 facts for kids
| Act of Parliament | |
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| Long title | An Acte for Laws & Justice to be ministred in Wales in like fourme as it is in this Realme |
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| Citation | 27 Hen. 8. c. 26 |
| Territorial extent | Wales, Marcher Lordships |
| Dates | |
| Repealed | 21 December 1993 |
| Other legislation | |
| Repealed by | Welsh Language Act 1993 |
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Status: Repealed
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| Text of statute as originally enacted | |
| Text of the Laws in Wales Act 1535 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk | |
| Act of Parliament | |
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| Long title | An Acte for certaine Ordinaunces in the Kinges Majesties Domynion and Principalitie of Wales |
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| Citation | 34 & 35 Hen. 8. c. 26 |
| Territorial extent | Wales, Marcher Lordships |
| Dates | |
| Repealed | 3 January 1995 |
| Other legislation | |
| Repealed by | Sale of Goods Act 1994 |
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Status: Repealed
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| Text of statute as originally enacted | |
The Laws in Wales Acts of 1535 and 1542 were important laws passed by the Parliament of England. They are sometimes called the Acts of Union (Welsh: Y Deddfau Uno). These laws, made under King Henry VIII of England, officially joined Wales with the Kingdom of England.
Before these Acts, Wales had already been connected to England since 1284. However, it had its own legal system and was not fully part of the English Parliament. These new laws changed that. They brought the legal system of England and English ways of running the country to Wales. This included making English the only language used in courts. This created one single state and legal area for both England and Wales.
Why These Laws Were Made
After King Henry VIII made himself the head of the Church of England in 1534, he saw Wales as a place that could cause problems. Some people in Wales were unhappy with how things were run. There were also complicated legal issues. Wales was also where Henry VII had landed to become king, and it was close to Catholic Ireland.
Thomas Cromwell, a top advisor to King Henry VIII, suggested these new laws. The first law came in 1536, and a stronger one followed in 1543. The main goal was to combine the legal, political, and administrative systems of Wales with England. They also aimed to make English the official language in Welsh courts, even though most people in Wales spoke Welsh. The laws stated that different legal systems in Wales caused disagreements, which the English government wanted to stop.
These Acts were part of a long process of Wales becoming more like England. Wales had been taken over by England after King Edward I's conquest in 1284. This was set out in the Statute of Rhuddlan of 1284.
What the Laws Did
The two main laws were: 'Act of Law and Justice in like Form as it is in this Realm of 1535/36' and 'Act for Certain Ordinances in the King's Dominion and Principality of Wales'. Together, they are known as the Acts of Union. King Henry VIII wanted to make Wales a full part of his kingdom, with himself as the main ruler.
The name "Acts of Union" was not commonly used until 1901. That's when historian Owen M. Edwards gave them that name. However, this name can be a bit confusing. The official name for each law since 1948 is "The Laws in Wales Act". They are also often referred to by the years they became law, 1536 and 1543.
The Act of 1535 was passed in 1536. It was officially cancelled on December 21, 1993. The Act of 1542 was passed in 1543.
Key Changes from the Laws
The 1535 Act clearly stated King Henry's reasons for these changes. He believed that differences in law and language caused problems between his English and Welsh subjects. He wanted to bring everyone together under the same laws and create peace.
The Act stated that Wales would forever be joined and united with the Realm of England.
The 1535 Act brought English law and the English language to Wales. It also allowed Wales to have representatives in the English Parliament. These laws greatly changed how Wales was governed.
- New Counties: The old "marcher lordships" (small feudal states) were ended. Five new counties were created in Wales: Monmouthshire, Brecknockshire, Radnorshire, Montgomeryshire and Denbighshire. This made Wales a country of 13 counties.
- Border Changes: Other parts of the old lordships were added to English counties like Shropshire and Herefordshire, or to existing Welsh counties. This set the borders of Wales for government purposes, which have mostly stayed the same since.
- Parliamentary Representation: Wales could now elect members to the English Parliament in Westminster.
- New Courts: The Council of Wales and the Marches was officially set up. A special court system for Wales, called the Court of Great Sessions, was created. Each county would have a Sheriff and other officers, just like in England.
- Language in Courts: All courts in Wales had to be conducted in English, not Welsh.
- Local Justice: The role of Justice of the Peace (local judges) was introduced, with nine in each county.
Effects of the Laws
In the Principality of Wales, many English customs were already in place. So, the 1536 and 1542/43 Acts brought more legal consistency across all of Wales. They effectively extended the "Principality" system to the Welsh Marches and ended the use of Welsh law.
This simpler legal system made it easier for the English king to collect taxes in Wales. The Acts added new counties like Brecknockshire and Glamorgan to the existing Welsh counties. This also helped to define a clear legal border with England.
Even though many ordinary Welsh people might not have fully understood the new laws, the Welsh gentry (wealthy landowners) generally liked them. They saw the Acts as bringing them legal equality with English citizens. The gentry also saw the laws as reducing the power of the Marcher lords.
Making English the official language in courts was a symbolic change. It was seen as unfair by the majority of Welsh people who only spoke Welsh. However, even though political power was centered in England, the Welsh language continued to be spoken by the people across the land.
