Page:The statutes of Wales (1908).djvu/134

2 A.D. 1275]

STATUTE OF WESTMINSTER 1.

"And these to be intended in all places where the King's Writ lieth and if they be done in the Marches of Wales, or in any other place where the King's Writ be not current, the King, who is sovereign Lord over all, shall do right there unto such as will complain."

A.D. 1284]

THE STATUTE OF WALES.

, by the Grace of God King of England, Lord of Ireland, and Duke of Aquitain, to all his Subjects of his Land of Snowdon, and of other his Lands in Wales, Greeting in the Lord. The Divine Providence, which is unerring in its own Government, among other gifts of its Dispensation, wherewith it hath vouchsafed to distinguish Us and our Realm of England, hath now of its favour, wholly and entirely transferred under our proper dominion, the Land of Wales with its Inhabitants, heretofore subject unto us, in Feudal Right, all obstacles whatsoever ceasing; and hath annexed and united the same unto the Crown of the aforesaid Realm, as a Member of the same Body. We therefore, under the Divine Will, being desirous that our aforesaid Land of Snowdon and our other Lands in those parts, like as all those which are subject unto our Power, should be governed with due Order to the Honour and Praise of God and of Holy Church, and the Advancement of Justice, and that the People or Inhabitants of those Lands who have submitted themselves absolutely unto our will, and whom We have thereunto so accepted, should be protected in security within our peace under fixed Laws and Customs, have caused to be rehearsed before Us and the Nobles of our Realm, the Laws and Customs of those parts hitherto in use: Which being diligently heard and fully understood. We have, by the advice of the aforesaid Nobles, abolished certain of them, some thereof We have allowed,