1536 Act of UnionThe 1536 Act of Union combined England and
Wales into a single state. It was passed during the reign of
King Henry VIII of England. His father, Henry VII was Welsh-born
and very conscious of it, and Henry VIII declared himself proud
of his Welsh blood. His motive in merging the two countries was
not mere domination; Wales benefited in many ways from the
legislation. Although the native Welsh rulers had long since
been subdued, the English king remained concerned about the
power of the Marcher lords and his government's general lack of
control over the principality. He therefore instructed his chief
administrator, Thomas Cromwell, to seek a solution. The effect
of the act was to make Wales as an integral part of England: The
country of Wales justly and righteously is … incorporated,
annexed, united and subject to and under the imperial Crown of
the Realm, as a very member and joint of the same. It was not
unpopular with the Welsh, who recognised that it would help give
them equality with their