were built and garrisoned for military purposes and for offensive and defensive operations of war. Towns grew up around these strongholds, English settlement was encouraged, and municipal charters were granted with distinctive provisions marking the different laws and privileges applicable to the new settlers and the Welsh inhabitants. Within these districts, the Norman-English laws were, for the most part, administered, but in many of the territories the Welsh were allowed to enjoy their ancient customs when the same did not conflict with the interests of their invaders.
The following charter, granted by King John, shows the policy pursued by the English Kings:—
Charter of William de Braose.
"John, by the Grace of God, etc. to William de Braose, and his heirs all lands etc. which he hath acquired, and which hereafter he shall be able to acquire over our enemies the Welsh to hold of us and our heirs save Kardigan and its dependencies which we retain. Dated at Caen 3rd June, 2 John a.d. 1200 (Rot. Chart.)."
And we find that Henry the First gave permission to Gilbert Fitzrichard de Clare to enter into Cardigan and Pembrokeshire in the following terms, "Thou wert continually seeking for a portion of the lands of the Britons from me, I will now give thee the land of Cadwgan son of Bleddyn: go and now possess it."
This system of legalised pillage and authorized plunder ceased when Edward the First obtained the submission of Wales to the English power, for after the Statute of Rhuddlan no new Lordships Marchers were, or could be, created.
The Lords Marchers had greater power in the Marches of Wales than the feudal lords possessed in England, for the control of the English Monarchs was not so strongly maintained over them. The result was that the "custom of the march" developed, and they became semi-independent
