Laws in Wales Acts 1535 and 1542
The Laws in Wales Acts 1535 and 1542 (Welsh: Y Deddfau Cyfreithiau yng Nghymru 1535 a 1542) were Acts of the Parliament of England, and were the parliamentary measures by which Wales was annexed to the Kingdom of England. Moreover, the legal system of England was extended to Wales and the norms of English administration were introduced; with the intention to create a single state and legal jurisdiction. The Acts were passed during the reign of King Henry VIII of England, who came from the Welsh Tudor dynasty, and are sometimes referred to as the Acts of Union.
| Act of Parliament | |
 | |
| Long title | An Acte for Laws & Justice to be ministred in Wales in like fourme as it is in this Realme |
|---|---|
| Citation | 27 Hen. 8 c. 26 |
| Territorial extent | Wales, Marcher Lordships |
| Dates | |
| Repealed | 21 December 1993 |
| Other legislation | |
| Repealed by | Welsh Language Act 1993 |
Status: Repealed | |
| Text of statute as originally enacted | |
| Text of the Laws in Wales Act 1535 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk. | |
| Act of Parliament | |
| |
| Long title | An Acte for certaine Ordinaunces in the Kinges Majesties Domynion and Principalitie of Wales |
|---|---|
| Citation | 34 & 35 Hen. 8 c. 26 |
| Territorial extent | Wales, Marcher Lordships |
| Dates | |
| Repealed | 3 January 1995 |
| Other legislation | |
| Repealed by | Sale of Goods Act 1994 |
Status: Repealed | |
| Text of statute as originally enacted | |
Before these Acts, Wales was excluded from Parliamentary representation and divided between the Principality of Wales and many feudal statelets called the marcher Lordships.
The Act declared King Henry's intentions, that because of differences in law and language:[lower-alpha 1]
(4) some rude and ignorant People have made Distinction and Diversity between the King's Subjects of this Realm, and his Subjects of the said Dominion and Principality of Wales, whereby great Discord, Variance, Debate, Division, Murmur and Sedition hath grown between his said Subjects; (5) His Highness therefore of a singular Zeal, Love and Favour that he beareth towards his Subjects of his said Dominion of Wales, minding and intending to reduce them to the perfect Order, Notice and Knowledge of his Laws of this Realm, and utterly to extirp all and singular the sinister Usages and Customs differing from the same, and to bring the said Subjects of this his Realm, and of his said Dominion of Wales, to an amicable Concord and Unity...
– and therefore:
That his said Country or Dominion of Wales shall be, stand and continue for ever from henceforth incorporated, united and annexed to and with this his Realm of England;[lower-alpha 1]