ect of a specific remonstrance in 23 H. VI.
Rot. Parl. vol. v. p. 111.

[392] Rot. Parl. vol. ii. p. 201. A strange policy, for which no
rational cause can be alleged, kept Wales and even Cheshire distinct
from the rest of the kingdom. Nothing could be more injurious to the
adjacent counties. Upon the credit of their immunity from the
jurisdiction of the king's courts, the people of Cheshire broke with
armed bands into the neighbouring counties, and perpetrated all the
crimes in their power. Rot. Parl. vol. iii. p. 81, 201, 440; Stat. 1 H.
IV. c. 18. As to the Welsh frontier, it was constantly almost in a state
of war, which a very little good sense and benevolence in any one of our
shepherds would have easily prevented, by admitting the conquered people
to partake in equal privileges with their fellow-subjects. Instead of
this, they satisfied themselves with aggravating the mischief by
granting legal reprisals upon Welshmen. Stat. 2 H. IV. c. 16. Welshmen
were absolutely excluded from bearing offices in Wales. The English
living in the English towns of Wales earnestly petition, 23 H. VI. Rot.
Parl. vol. v. p. 104, 154, that this exclusion may be kept in force.
Complaints of the disorderly state of the Welsh frontier are repeated as
late as 12 E. IV. vol. vi. p. 8.

It is curious that, so early as 15 E. II., a writ was addressed to the
earl of Arundel, justiciary of Wales, directing him to cause twenty-four
discreet persons to be chosen from the north, and as many from the south
of that principality, to serve in parliament. Rot. Parl. vol. i. p. 456.
And we find a similar writ in the 20th of the same king. Prynne's
Register, 4th part, p. 60. Willis says that he has seen a return to one
of these precepts, much obliterated, but from which it appears that
Conway, Beaumaris, and Carnarvon returned members. Notitia
Parliamentaria, vol. i. preface, p. 15.

[393] The statute of Winton was confirmed, and proclaimed afresh by the
sheriffs, 7 R. II. c. 6, after an era of great disorder.

[394] Blackstone, vol. i. c. 9; Carte, vol. ii. p. 203.

[395] 1 E. III. stat. 2, c. 16; 4 E. III. c. 2; 34 E. III. c. 1; 7 R.
II. c. 5. The institution excited a good deal of ill-will, even before
these strong acts were passed. Many petitions of the commons in the 28th
E. III., and other years, complain of it. Rot. Parl. vol. ii.

[396] Rot. Parl. vol. iii. p. 65. It may be observed that this act, 2 E.
II. c. 16, was not founded on a petit