Royal Authority

Understanding Welsh history and its role in the formation of many Welsh family trees, is a major aspect of Welsh genealogy.  English annexation of Wales started along the border area where many Welsh families intermarried with those who came to claim title to the land.  Romans, Anglo-Saxons, Normans, and what came to be called "The Plantagenets" all had something to do with that mixing of the X and Y chromosomes.  In 1272, Edward I inherited the throne of England.  His Welsh neighbors took top priority and the results of his partial annexation are clearly standing today.  A book by John E. Morris describes what occurred to advance this undertaking.

The Welsh Wars of Edward I is its title.  Many of our Welsh family trees still bend into various shapes, even today, as a result.  A grasp of this history will often help us tree climbers.

Originally published by Oxford at the Clarendon Press in 1901, the cover shown above is my copy published by Combined Books edition, 1996. [Pennsylvania]  Genealogical tables are contained within showing many of the interrelationships which took place.  Raids, castles and battles...who could ask for more.

Welsh Rolls: What's in Them

Wales became thoroughly subduded after the execution of Rhys ap Maredudd [Rees ap Meredith] following his capture in 1289 AD. Ordinances for the settlement and incorporation into England of the new counties of Anglesey, Carnarvon, Merioneth, Flint, Carmarthen, and Cardigan were instituted. Ironically, these records became known as the "Welsh Rolls", but were actually the "English" records following this hostile take over. These documents contain all the different items which required the approval of the monarchy, i.e., passed "The Great Seal". Thus, they became the first offical records of the affairs of "The Principality of Wales" and its "Marches".

Extracts from these rolls can be found at the British Museum [Harleian MS. 320, f 42.] An outline of what they contain are as follows:

Grants of castles, lands, and other possessions, and confirmation of former charters,

Letters of protection and safe conduct,

Appointments of justices,

Inquistions of various kinds,

Presentations to churches,

Appointments of constables and governors of castles, and removal from appointments

Grants of freedom,

Committals to prison, and arrests

Grants of wardship,

Writs (orders) to receive money,

Grants to fairs,

Liberty to trade,

Free from toll,

Release from debt,

Exchanges of land,

Orders for dower, for support of children, and for homage,

Appointments to military rank, and

Settlements and other entries.

Wow, a gold mine for the Welsh genealogist!