AD 1500-1750 Early Modern

In AD 1536 and 1548 the Acts of Union between Wales and England were passed. The principality of Wales was merged with the Marcher lordships. Land was divided up into shires and administrated on the English model. Welshmen were given the same rights as Englishmen but were now subject to English law and English became the official language.

The Welsh upper classes generally welcomed the new order. It extended their power and offered economic advantages and access to the English court. They spent their fortunes on building grand houses in the Renaissance style. The medieval castles began to decay through disuse but at the outbreak of the Civil War in 1642 they were quickly repaired and served again their military purpose. On the victory of the Parliamentarians, however, many were partially demolished.

During this time Wales was poor – a largely rural country with few large towns. The majority of people spoke Welsh. The land was not good for growing crops and so most people used it for grazing. At the beginning of this period Wales provided wool for the English wool trade. As that industry began to wane, cattle replaced sheep as the main livestock, driven on foot from Wales to the market towns of England.