England and Wales during the Tudors

Welsh Gentry

Benefited from equality in law and political access.

Economic Integration

Strengthened Welsh trade with English markets.

Marcher Lordships

Semi-independent territories ruled by powerful nobles.

Principality of Wales

Conquered by Edward I in 1282, under English law.

Acts of Union

Legislation formalizing Welsh integration with England.

Henry VIII

Acquired Marcher Lordships for stronger control.

Court of Sessions

Established to handle disputes uniformly in Wales.

Welsh MPs

28 representatives sent to Parliament after the Acts.

English Primogeniture

Inheritance law favoring the eldest child.

Language Suppression

English became the sole language for legal matters.

Fragmented Governance

Allowed criminals to evade justice in Wales.

Catholic Resistance

Popular return to Catholic practices among the Welsh.

Dissolution of Monasteries

Transfer of church lands to gentry families.

Elizabethan Settlement

Established Protestantism, enhancing Welsh public worship.

Welsh Bible Translations

1563 Act required Welsh translations for Protestant teaching.

Population Growth

Increased from 278,000 (1536) to 360,000 (1620).

Economic Hardship

30% of the population lived in poverty.

Inflation (1530-1640)

Worsened living standards and landlessness in Wales.

Protestant Challenges

Limited support for Protestantism indicated by few martyrs.

Iconoclasm

Destruction of religious images and shrines in Wales.

Welsh Identity

Suppressed under English norms and governance.

Political Opportunities

Welsh gentry sought greater control post-Union.

Security and Stability

Unified governance prevented rebellions like Henry VII's.

Economic Development

Population growth outpaced economic progress, worsening poverty.

Cultural Erosion

Welsh culture subordinated to English norms post-Union.

Resistance to Reforms

Poor instruction reduced interest in resisting Protestant changes.

Legacy of the Acts

Created a politically integrated Wales, suppressing Welsh identity.