In May 1534 the notoriously anti-Welsh bishop Rowland Lee was appointed President of the Council of Wales and the Marches.
In May 1534 the notoriously anti-Welsh bishop Rowland Lee was appointed President of the Council of Wales and the Marches. Lee claimed to have hanged 5000 Welshmen in his five years in charge, which resulted in him being referred to as the 'hanging Bishop'. The Council was first convened in 1472 by Edward IV to act on behalf of his son, the infant Edward, Prince of Wales, who he established at Ludlow Castle. Under Henry VIII, the Laws in Wales Act of 1542 gave the Council statutory recognition. It continued to convene at Ludlow and had jurisdiction over the whole of Wales, along with Cheshire, Shropshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire. It was to hear all civil and criminal suits, to try all cases of murder, investigate charges of misgovernment, and to deal with disputes. The Council was abolished in July 1689, following the 'Glorious Revolution' which overthrew James II and established William III as king. We hope that you have enjoyed reading