marcher earldoms

Cards (9)

marcher earldoms were used to establish control on borders between england and wales
| key features of marcher earldoms
shire-sized: usually earls were big with several shires but marcher earldoms were small
made them easier to control & ensured they weren’t as powerful as the king
| key features of marcher earldoms
privileges to make settlements: gave rights only the king had: create towns, markets & churches
helped earls attract people from normandy (colonisation)
| key features of marcher earldoms
granted full power of law: sheriffs worked for earl; earl controlled shire courts, giving complete power over the legal system in earldom
became central figures of law & could respond quickly to unrest
| key features of marcher earldoms
exempted from tax: didnt pay tax to king unlike other earls
reward their loyalty & encourage earls to spend on settlements
| key features of marcher earldoms
| key features of marcher earldoms
right to build castles: free to build wherever unlike landholders who had to apply to king beforehand
castles controlled area & launch attacks into wales; essential to controlling marches
marcher earls had a lot more independence from the king allowing them to deal with trouble directly & quickly
NOT the king’s equal; gave their allegiance to king & provided military service when required
not allowed to try people for crimes against king
why were marcher earldoms exempted from paying taxes
so they can spend on bettering settlements & defences