Marcher Lords

Marcher Lords were noble leaders in medieval England, appointed to govern the borders, or "marches," between England and Wales. Their role was to defend these often volatile areas from invasion and maintain order. Given significant military powers, they could build castles and establish their own laws, making them semi-autonomous rulers. This system allowed for quicker responses to threats and the stabilization of border regions. Marcher Lords played a crucial role in the political landscape of medieval Britain, shaping the culture and governance of areas that were both strategically important and frequently contested.