mouthshire is somewhat anomalous. Technically it has been an English county since this Act, but it is often for administrative purposes, and sometimes by legislation, treated as part of Wales, or grouped with some of the Welsh counties. A large proportion of its inhabitants are Welsh in origin, in language, and habits, and the industrial development of the county has been closely allied to that of its adjoining shire, the county of Glamorgan.[1]
It was declared, by section 9 of this Act, that as the new Welsh counties were far distant from London, and because their inhabitants were "not of substance power and ability to travel out of their country to seek the administration of justice" the King was to have his Chancery and Exchequer at the Castles of Brecknock and Denbigh. The sheriffs and shire officials were ordered to render yearly accounts to a Baron of the Exchequer appointed for the purpose.
In the new shires a separate judicial system was instituted. Justice was to be administered according to the laws of England, and according also to such other customs and laws used in Wales as the King in Council should allow and think expedient, requisite, and necessary, and after such form and fashion as justice was used and ministered within the three ancient shires of North Wales. The Welsh language was abolished in all the courts. All proceedings were to be carried on in the English tongue; no person using the Welsh speech was to enjoy or hold any office within the English realm, Wales, or the King's Dominions unless "he used and exercised the English speech or language."
By this measure the right of parliamentary representation was conferred upon Wales. One knight was to be chosen and elected to the sitting and future Parliaments for each of the shires of Wales. For every borough being a shire town (excepting Merioneth) one Burgess was to be likewise chosen.
- ↑ See "The Welsh People," by Brynmor Jones and Rhys, p. 16.
