The Marcher Earldoms

• Wales and Scotland were fully independent nations at the time of the Norman Conquest
• Wales was ruled by Warrior princes who were known to raid English lands on the Welsh border
• This region was known as the Welsh marches
• William knew that he needed help controlling this violent region
• Marcher Earls

  Nobles rewarded by William with small eroms which had additional powers in return for keeping the region secure and prosperous
• Marcher Earldoms

  • Chester
  • Shrewsbury
  • Hereford
• Marcher Earldoms


  • Smaller in size than most earldoms
  • Centered on towns
  • Allowed to create boroughs, markets, and churches without the king's permission
  • Had full power to enforce the law, with shire reeves answerable to the Earl not the king
  • Exempt from paying tax on their land
  • Allowed to build castles without the king's prior permission
• William established the marcher earldoms to reward his most loyal Nobles and control the lawless Welsh border
• The marcher Earls helped William control England until around 1075 when some actually rebelled