Statute of Rhuddlan

The Statute of Rhuddlan, enacted in 1284, was a law that established English rule over Wales following King Edward I’s conquest. It integrated Welsh territories into the English legal and administrative system, replacing Welsh laws with English common law. The statute outlined governance structures, such as counties and sheriffdoms, and aimed to consolidate control, while also providing some local administrative continuity. Essentially, it marked the beginning of formal English administration in Wales, shaping its legal and political landscape for centuries to come.