instead of the Welsh laws and customs. Edward at the same time re-established the shire organizations of Caermarthen and Cardigan. The WELSH people under Llywelyn broke out again into rebellion, and Llywelyn died in battle on December 11, 1282, at Pont Orewyn, near Builth. On Llywelyn's death, his possessions passed to the English King, and two years afterwards, the important Statutum Walliæ—the Statute of Wales—was enacted at Rhuddlan by Edward the First, on Sunday in Mid-Lent[1], 1284. It is the first great Act for the Principality, settling the civil and legal administration of Wales for nearly three hundred years.
A.D. 1275.—In the year 1275, the Statute of Westminster the First (3 Edward i, c. 17) was significant of the growing power of the central administration, and the new policy to be pursued towards the Lordship Marchers. Theretofore there was no jurisdiction in the English Courts over Wales. The maxim was, Breve regis non currit in Walliam: "the King's Writ runneth not into Wales; and the Lords Marchers had regal powers within their Lordships; but, by the Statute of Westminster the First, it was provided that English law should be of effect within the courts and lands of the Marches of Wales.
A.D. 1284.—The Statute of Wales (12 Edward i, c. 1), was drafted upon the report of a Commission appointed by Edward before Llywelyn was finally subdued. The Commission (dated at Westminster, December 4, 1820) was issued to Thomas (Becke) Bishop of St. Davids, Reginald de Grey, and Walter de Hopton, appointing them to examine upon oath "unsuspected persons both Welsh and English," in order to obtain information respecting the laws and usages by which the Kings, his predecessors, had been accustomed to govern and order the Prince of Wales and the Welsh Barons of Wales and their peers and others their inferiors, and all particulars connected with such laws and usages. These Commissioners were commanded to appoint certain
- ↑ See "Political History of England," by Professor Trout, vol. iii. p. 133.
