Statute of Rhuddlan
Encyclopedia
The Statute of Rhuddlan (Welsh
: Statud Rhuddlan, ˈr̥ɨðlan, approximately "RITH-lan"), also known as the Statutes of Wales (Latin: Statuta Wallie) or as the Statute of Wales (Statutum Wallie) provided the constitutional basis for the government of the Principality of North Wales from 1284 until 1536. The statute was enacted on 3 March 1284 and promulgated
on 19 March at Rhuddlan Castle
in North Wales
, after careful consideration of the position by Edward I
.
had been recognised by the English crown as Prince of Wales
in 1267, holding his lands with the king of England as his overlord. This position was held by Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, Lord of Aberffraw
, and briefly held after his death by his successor Dafydd ap Gruffudd. This meant that when Llywelyn rebelled, it was an act of treason. Accordingly, his lands escheat
ed to the king of England and Edward I took possession of the Principality of Wales
by military conquest from 1282 to 1283. By this means the principality became 'united and annexed' to the crown of England.
Following his conquest Edward I erected four new marcher lords
hips in northeast Wales, Chirk
, Bromfield and Yale, Duffryn Clwyd and Denbigh
; and one in South Wales, Cantref Bychan. He restored the principality of Powys Wenwynwyn
to Gruffydd ap Gwenwynwyn
who had suffered at the hands of Llewellyn, and he and his successor Owen de la Pole
held it as a marcher lordship. Rhys ap Maredudd of Dryslwyn would have been in a similar position in Cantref Mawr
, having adhered to the king during Llewellyn's rebellion, but he forfeited his lands by rebelling in 1287. A few other minor Welsh nobles submitted in time to retain their lands, but became little more than gentry.
The English crown already had a means of governing South Wales in the honours of Carmarthen
and Cardigan
, which went back to 1240. These became counties under the government of the Justiciar of South Wales (or of West Wales), who was based in Carmarthen. The changes of the period made little difference in the substantial swathe of land from Pembrokeshire
through South Wales to the Welsh Borders which was already in the hands of the marcher lords
. Nor did they alter the administration of the royal lordships of Montgomery
and Builth, which retained their existing institutions.
in North Wales, one of the 'iron ring' of fortresses built by Edward I, to control his newly conquered lands. It provided the constitutional basis for the government of what was called 'The Land of Wales' or 'the kings lands of Snowdon and his other lands in Wales', but subsequently called the 'Principality of North Wales'. The Statute divided the principality into the counties of Anglesey, Merionethshire
, Caernarfonshire
, and Flintshire
, which were created out of the remnants of the Kingdom of Gwynedd
in North Wales
. Flintshire was created out of the lordships of Tegeingl, Hopedale
, and Maelor Saesneg. It was adminstered with the Palatinate
of Cheshire
by the Justiciar of Chester
.
The other three counties were overseen by a Justiciar of North Wales
and a provincial exchequer at Caernarfon
, run by the Chamberlain of North Wales, who accounted for the revenues he collected to the Exchequer
at Westminster
. Under them were royal officials such as sheriff
s, coroner
s, and bailiff
s to collect taxes and administer justice. The king had ordered an inquiry into what rents and other dues the princes had been entitled to, and these were enforced by the new officials. At the local level, commotes became hundreds, but their customs, boundaries and offices remained largely unchanged.
, larceny
, and robbery
prosecuted before the justiciar, as in England. The English writs and forms of action, such as novel disseisin, debt
, and dower
, operated, but with oversight from Caernarfon, rather than the distant Westminster. However, the Welsh practice of settling disputes by arbitration was retained. The procedure for debt was in advance of that in England, in that a default judgment could be obtained. In land law, the Welsh practice of partible inheritance
continued, but in accordance with English practice:
Welsh language
Welsh is a member of the Brythonic branch of the Celtic languages spoken natively in Wales, by some along the Welsh border in England, and in Y Wladfa...
: Statud Rhuddlan, ˈr̥ɨðlan, approximately "RITH-lan"), also known as the Statutes of Wales (Latin: Statuta Wallie) or as the Statute of Wales (Statutum Wallie) provided the constitutional basis for the government of the Principality of North Wales from 1284 until 1536. The statute was enacted on 3 March 1284 and promulgated
Promulgation
Promulgation is the act of formally proclaiming or declaring a new statutory or administrative law after its enactment. In some jurisdictions this additional step is necessary before the law can take effect....
on 19 March at Rhuddlan Castle
Rhuddlan Castle
Rhuddlan Castle is a castle located in Rhuddlan, Denbighshire, Wales. It was erected by Edward I in 1277 following the First Welsh War.-Construction:Rhuddlan was planned as a concentric castle...
in North Wales
North Wales
North Wales is the northernmost unofficial region of Wales. It is bordered to the south by the counties of Ceredigion and Powys in Mid Wales and to the east by the counties of Shropshire in the West Midlands and Cheshire in North West England...
, after careful consideration of the position by Edward I
Edward I of England
Edward I , also known as Edward Longshanks and the Hammer of the Scots, was King of England from 1272 to 1307. The first son of Henry III, Edward was involved early in the political intrigues of his father's reign, which included an outright rebellion by the English barons...
.
Background
The status of the Prince of GwyneddKingdom of Gwynedd
Gwynedd was one petty kingdom of several Welsh successor states which emerged in 5th-century post-Roman Britain in the Early Middle Ages, and later evolved into a principality during the High Middle Ages. It was based on the former Brythonic tribal lands of the Ordovices, Gangani, and the...
had been recognised by the English crown as Prince of Wales
Prince of Wales
Prince of Wales is a title traditionally granted to the heir apparent to the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the 15 other independent Commonwealth realms...
in 1267, holding his lands with the king of England as his overlord. This position was held by Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, Lord of Aberffraw
House of Gwynedd
The House of Gwynedd is the name given to the old royal house of the Kingdom of Gwynedd. Technically it is divided between the earlier House of Cunedda which lasted from c.420-825 and the later House of Aberffraw beginning in 844. They are so named after the founding king of Gwynedd; Cunedda, and...
, and briefly held after his death by his successor Dafydd ap Gruffudd. This meant that when Llywelyn rebelled, it was an act of treason. Accordingly, his lands escheat
Escheat
Escheat is a common law doctrine which transfers the property of a person who dies without heirs to the crown or state. It serves to ensure that property is not left in limbo without recognised ownership...
ed to the king of England and Edward I took possession of the Principality of Wales
Principality of Wales
The Principality of Wales existed between 1216 and 1542, encompassing two-thirds of modern Wales.It was formally founded in 1216 at the Council of Aberdyfi, and later recognised by the 1218 Treaty of Worcester between Llywelyn the Great of Wales and Henry III of England...
by military conquest from 1282 to 1283. By this means the principality became 'united and annexed' to the crown of England.
Following his conquest Edward I erected four new marcher lords
Marcher Lords
A Marcher Lord was a strong and trusted noble appointed by the King of England to guard the border between England and Wales.A Marcher Lord is the English equivalent of a margrave...
hips in northeast Wales, Chirk
Chirk
Chirk is a small town and local government community, the lowest tier of local government, part of Wrexham County Borough in Wales. It has a population of over 4,000....
, Bromfield and Yale, Duffryn Clwyd and Denbigh
Denbigh
Denbigh is a market town and community in Denbighshire, Wales. Before 1888, it was the county town of Denbighshire. Denbigh lies 8 miles to the north west of Ruthin and to the south of St Asaph. It is about 13 miles from the seaside resort of Rhyl. The town grew around the glove-making industry...
; and one in South Wales, Cantref Bychan. He restored the principality of Powys Wenwynwyn
Powys Wenwynwyn
Powys Wenwynwyn or Powys Cyfeiliog was the southern portion of the former princely state of Powys which split following the death of Madog ap Maredudd of Powys in 1160...
to Gruffydd ap Gwenwynwyn
Gruffydd ap Gwenwynwyn
Gruffydd ap Gwenwynwyn was a Welsh prince who was lord of the part of Powys known as Powys Wenwynwyn.Gruffydd was the son of Gwenwynwyn ab Owain and Margaret Corbet. He was still a child when his father, who had been driven out of his princedom by Llywelyn the Great, died in exile in 1216...
who had suffered at the hands of Llewellyn, and he and his successor Owen de la Pole
Owen de la Pole
Owen de la Pole , also known as Owain ap Gruffydd ap Gwenwynwyn, was the heir presumptive to the Welsh principality of Powys Wenwynwyn until 1283 when it was abolished by the Parliament of Shrewsbury. He became the 1st Lord of Powis after the death of his father Gruffydd ap Gwenwynwyn c...
held it as a marcher lordship. Rhys ap Maredudd of Dryslwyn would have been in a similar position in Cantref Mawr
Cantref Mawr
Cantref Mawr was a cantref in south-west Wales. It was of strategic importance in medieval Wales as the location of the main seat of the princes of Deheubarth at Dinefwr....
, having adhered to the king during Llewellyn's rebellion, but he forfeited his lands by rebelling in 1287. A few other minor Welsh nobles submitted in time to retain their lands, but became little more than gentry.
The English crown already had a means of governing South Wales in the honours of Carmarthen
Carmarthen
Carmarthen is a community in, and the county town of, Carmarthenshire, Wales. It is sited on the River Towy north of its mouth at Carmarthen Bay. In 2001, the population was 14,648....
and Cardigan
Cardigan
Cardigan may refer to:In geography:* Cardigan, Prince Edward Island, Canada* Cardigan , an electoral district in Prince Edward Island* Mount Cardigan, a mountain in New Hampshire, U.S.* Cardigan, Ceredigion, Wales...
, which went back to 1240. These became counties under the government of the Justiciar of South Wales (or of West Wales), who was based in Carmarthen. The changes of the period made little difference in the substantial swathe of land from Pembrokeshire
Pembrokeshire
Pembrokeshire is a county in the south west of Wales. It borders Carmarthenshire to the east and Ceredigion to the north east. The county town is Haverfordwest where Pembrokeshire County Council is headquartered....
through South Wales to the Welsh Borders which was already in the hands of the marcher lords
Marcher Lords
A Marcher Lord was a strong and trusted noble appointed by the King of England to guard the border between England and Wales.A Marcher Lord is the English equivalent of a margrave...
. Nor did they alter the administration of the royal lordships of Montgomery
Montgomery
-In France:* Sainte-Foy-de-Montgommery, a commune in département Calvados, Normandy* Saint-Germain-de-Montgommery, idem* Colleville-Montgomery, idem-In Pakistan:...
and Builth, which retained their existing institutions.
New counties
The Statute of Rhuddlan was issued from Rhuddlan CastleRhuddlan Castle
Rhuddlan Castle is a castle located in Rhuddlan, Denbighshire, Wales. It was erected by Edward I in 1277 following the First Welsh War.-Construction:Rhuddlan was planned as a concentric castle...
in North Wales, one of the 'iron ring' of fortresses built by Edward I, to control his newly conquered lands. It provided the constitutional basis for the government of what was called 'The Land of Wales' or 'the kings lands of Snowdon and his other lands in Wales', but subsequently called the 'Principality of North Wales'. The Statute divided the principality into the counties of Anglesey, Merionethshire
Merionethshire
Merionethshire is one of thirteen historic counties of Wales, a vice county and a former administrative county.The administrative county of Merioneth, created under the Local Government Act 1888, was abolished under the Local Government Act 1972 on April 1, 1974...
, Caernarfonshire
Caernarfonshire
Caernarfonshire , historically spelled as Caernarvonshire or Carnarvonshire in English during its existence, was one of the thirteen historic counties, a vice-county and a former administrative county of Wales....
, and Flintshire
Flintshire (historic)
Flintshire , also known as the County of Flint, is one of thirteen historic counties, a vice-county and a former administrative county, which mostly lies on the north east coast of Wales....
, which were created out of the remnants of the Kingdom of Gwynedd
Kingdom of Gwynedd
Gwynedd was one petty kingdom of several Welsh successor states which emerged in 5th-century post-Roman Britain in the Early Middle Ages, and later evolved into a principality during the High Middle Ages. It was based on the former Brythonic tribal lands of the Ordovices, Gangani, and the...
in North Wales
North Wales
North Wales is the northernmost unofficial region of Wales. It is bordered to the south by the counties of Ceredigion and Powys in Mid Wales and to the east by the counties of Shropshire in the West Midlands and Cheshire in North West England...
. Flintshire was created out of the lordships of Tegeingl, Hopedale
Hopedale
Hopedale is the name of several places:*In Canada:**Hopedale, Newfoundland and Labrador*In the United States:**Hopedale, Illinois**Hopedale, Massachusetts***Site of Hopedale Community**Hopedale, Ohio...
, and Maelor Saesneg. It was adminstered with the Palatinate
County palatine
A county palatine or palatinate is an area ruled by an hereditary nobleman possessing special authority and autonomy from the rest of a kingdom or empire. The name derives from the Latin adjective palatinus, "relating to the palace", from the noun palatium, "palace"...
of Cheshire
Cheshire
Cheshire is a ceremonial county in North West England. Cheshire's county town is the city of Chester, although its largest town is Warrington. Other major towns include Widnes, Congleton, Crewe, Ellesmere Port, Runcorn, Macclesfield, Winsford, Northwich, and Wilmslow...
by the Justiciar of Chester
Justice of Chester
The Justice of Chester was the chief judicial authority for the County Palatine of Chester, from the establishment of the county until the abolition of the Great Sessions in Wales and the palatine judicature in 1830....
.
The other three counties were overseen by a Justiciar of North Wales
Justiciar of North Wales
The Justiciar of North Wales was a legal office concerned with the government of the three counties in north-west Wales created by Edward I of England out of the Kingdom of Gwynedd under the Statute of Rhuddlan in 1284. He was responsible for the counties of Anglesey, Caernarfonshire and Merioneth...
and a provincial exchequer at Caernarfon
Caernarfon
Caernarfon is a Royal town, community and port in Gwynedd, Wales, with a population of 9,611. It lies along the A487 road, on the east banks of the Menai Straits, opposite the Isle of Anglesey. The city of Bangor is to the northeast, while Snowdonia fringes Caernarfon to the east and southeast...
, run by the Chamberlain of North Wales, who accounted for the revenues he collected to the Exchequer
Exchequer
The Exchequer is a government department of the United Kingdom responsible for the management and collection of taxation and other government revenues. The historical Exchequer developed judicial roles...
at Westminster
Westminster
Westminster is an area of central London, within the City of Westminster, England. It lies on the north bank of the River Thames, southwest of the City of London and southwest of Charing Cross...
. Under them were royal officials such as sheriff
Sheriff
A sheriff is in principle a legal official with responsibility for a county. In practice, the specific combination of legal, political, and ceremonial duties of a sheriff varies greatly from country to country....
s, coroner
Coroner
A coroner is a government official who* Investigates human deaths* Determines cause of death* Issues death certificates* Maintains death records* Responds to deaths in mass disasters* Identifies unknown dead* Other functions depending on local laws...
s, and bailiff
Bailiff
A bailiff is a governor or custodian ; a legal officer to whom some degree of authority, care or jurisdiction is committed...
s to collect taxes and administer justice. The king had ordered an inquiry into what rents and other dues the princes had been entitled to, and these were enforced by the new officials. At the local level, commotes became hundreds, but their customs, boundaries and offices remained largely unchanged.
Law in Wales under the Statute
The Statute introduced the English common law system to Wales, but the law administered was not precisely the same as in England. The criminal law was much the same, with felonies, such as murderMurder
Murder is the unlawful killing, with malice aforethought, of another human being, and generally this state of mind distinguishes murder from other forms of unlawful homicide...
, larceny
Larceny
Larceny is a crime involving the wrongful acquisition of the personal property of another person. It was an offence under the common law of England and became an offence in jurisdictions which incorporated the common law of England into their own law. It has been abolished in England and Wales,...
, and robbery
Robbery
Robbery is the crime of taking or attempting to take something of value by force or threat of force or by putting the victim in fear. At common law, robbery is defined as taking the property of another, with the intent to permanently deprive the person of that property, by means of force or fear....
prosecuted before the justiciar, as in England. The English writs and forms of action, such as novel disseisin, debt
Debt
A debt is an obligation owed by one party to a second party, the creditor; usually this refers to assets granted by the creditor to the debtor, but the term can also be used metaphorically to cover moral obligations and other interactions not based on economic value.A debt is created when a...
, and dower
Dower
Dower or morning gift was a provision accorded by law to a wife for her support in the event that she should survive her husband...
, operated, but with oversight from Caernarfon, rather than the distant Westminster. However, the Welsh practice of settling disputes by arbitration was retained. The procedure for debt was in advance of that in England, in that a default judgment could be obtained. In land law, the Welsh practice of partible inheritance
Partible inheritance
Partible inheritance is a general term applied to systems of inheritance in which property may be apportioned among heirs. It contrasts in particular with primogeniture, which requires that the whole inheritance passes to the eldest son, and with agnatic seniority where the succession passes to...
continued, but in accordance with English practice:
- Daughters could inherit their father's lands if there was no son.
- Widows were entitled to dower in a third of their late husband's lands.
- BastardBastardBastard may refer to:* A child whose birth lacks legal legitimacy—that is, one born to a woman and a man who are not legally married* Bastard , illegitimacy in English law* Bastard , a blackletter typeface...
s were excluded from inheriting.