The Marches were the
border lands between
England and
Wales and
England and
Scotland. Since
Norman times these troublesome areas had been placed under the control of "Marcher Lords". These Lords had a long tradition of
independence and
autonomy, and they came to be seen as a considerable threat to English Kings in the 15
th century. The Marcher Lords provided England with help in defence in return for their privileges.
The powers of the Welsh Marcher Lords were eventually curbed with The Act of Welsh Union with England (1536 and 1543).