The entries in Domesday Book, relating to the territory on the west side of the Wye,[1] lead to the conclusion that Saxons were permanently established there in this reign. Doubtless they became so in furtherance of the design, and under the protection, of Harald, who himself crossed the river, and commenced building a fortress at Porth Iscoed on the Severn. His own settlement was indeed soon after destroyed by the Welch, but those of his countrymen in the same district appear to have held their ground up to the Norman period. The hurried and important events of Harald's own short reign left him no leisure for the affairs of Wales; but his policy in this respect was adopted by the Norman Kings of England, and became a system of conquest, gradually overspreading, not only the March of Wales, but also its more settled and civilised districts.
When Edward I. ascended the throne, a native principality of Wales was still surviving, though acknowledging feudal subjection to the English Crown. The remainder of Wales and the Marches, as subjected to the English power, consisted of very numerous Lordships, of which some had been acquired by the Crown itself, and retained in its own possession (in proprietatis dominio), and the remainder, however acquired, were held of the Crown by feudal tenure (jure feudali subjecta), but were not in its possession. These latter were the Lordships Marchers (dominia Marchiarum)[2] and the Barons who held them were called, in reference thereto, Lords Marchers (domini Marchiales).[3]
Some Lordships Marchers originated in the submission of their Welch Lords, who anticipated the gradual but sure progress of the invasion, and saved their lands, by transferring their allegiance to the English Crown;[4] but the greater part were created by conquest.
The vassals of the Crown made conquests by licence of their feudal superior, granted on the usual condition of tenure. This licence was not tacit only, as has been supposed,[5] but often express,[6] as in the charters of King John to Wennowen of Kevelioch,[7] and to William de Braose.[8]
- ↑ Arch. Camb. first series, iii. 332.
- ↑ Coke, Entr. Quo Warranto 9, f. 549 b.
- ↑ Ibid. 3, f. 534.
- ↑ "Government of Wales," in Hist. of Ludlow, by R. H. C , p. 109.
- ↑ Ibid. p. 99.
- ↑ Arch. Camb. first series, iv. 141.
- ↑ Charter of the Welch.—John, by the grace of God, &c. to our beloved and faithful Wennowen of Kevelioch, for his homage and service, all lands, &c. as well in North Wales as in South Wales and Powis, as well acquired as to be acquired over our enemies, &c. to hold of us and our heirs, &c. Dated at Poitiers, 4 Dec. 1 John (A.D. 1199).—Rot. Chart. 63.
- ↑ Charter of William de Braose.—John, by the grace of God, &c. to William de Braose and his heirs, all lands, &c. which he hath acquired and which hereafter he shall be able to acquire over our enemies the
