Statute of Rhuddlan
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The Statute of Rhuddlan was enacted on 3 March 1284 after the conquest of Wales by the English king Edward I.
The Statute of Rhuddlan was issued from Rhuddlan Castle in North Wales, which was built as one of the 'iron ring' of fortresses by Edward I, in his late-13th century campaigns against the Welsh.
After the defeat and death of Llywelyn ap Gruffydd in 1282, Wales was incorporated into England and Edward set about pacifying the new territory.
The Statute divided parts of Wales into the counties of Anglesey, Merioneth, Caernarvon, Denbighshire, and Flintshire, which were created out of the remnants of Llewelyn's Kingdom of Gwynedd.
It introduced the English common law system, and allowed the King to appoint royal officials such as sheriffs, coroners, and bailiffs to collect taxes and administer justice. In addition, the offices of justice and chamberlain were created to assist the sheriff.
Some Welsh customs were allowed to remain, such as the specifics of inheritance, and the Marcher Lords retained most of their independence, as they had prior to the conquest.
The Statute remained in effect until Henry VIII's Laws in Wales Act in 1536.
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