Marcher Earldoms

Marcher Earldoms

1. Reasons for Creation

   • Wales has a previous history of conflict with England during Edward's reign so William wanted to prevent this
   • The 3 New marcher earldoms were given to William's most loyal followers as a reward for fighting for him
   • The Marcher Earldoms also allowed William greater control over England without the Normans feeling like they had been betrayed

2. Privelleges

   • Build Castles
     • The Marcher Earldoms didn't have to get permission from the king to build castles
       • A larger amount of castles meant more areas to launch and defend attacks
         • It also served as a symbol to the Anglo-Saxons; the castles showed them who was in control
   • Build settlements and towns
     • Building settlements and towns meant there were more safe places for people to live and trade
       • This would result in an increase of Normans colonizing the new earldoms. This meant that William would have more loyal followers in England
         • More loyal followers meant William had easier and greater control of England with less chance of an uprising both in Normandy and England
   • Have their own courts
     • By having their own courts, the Marcher Earldoms could conduct trials faster than usual
       • This meant that less time was spent dealing with crime and the development of the earldom could be focused on instead
         • A richer, more developed earldom would encourage colonization
   • Exempt from taxes
     • The Lords of the Marcher Earldoms didn't have to pay taxes to the king
       • This was to encourage development of the earldoms and to make them richer

3. The Marcher Earldoms were Earldoms along the border of Wales