Page:The statutes of Wales (1908).djvu/30

xxvi 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 inhabitants. Within these districts, the Norman-English laws were, for the most part, administered, but in many of the territories the 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, shows the policy pursued by the English Kings:—

"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 to hold of us and our heirs save Kardigan and its dependencies which we retain. Dated at Caen 3rd June, 2  1200 (Rot. Chart.)."

And we find that 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 the First obtained the submission of 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 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