Maintaining a ‘Special Relationship’? Petitions to the Crown from Irish and Welsh Towns, 13th–16th Centuries

Abstract

Among ancient petitions in the Special Collections (document class SC 8) of The National Archives, London, are municipal petitions sent by the Anglo-Norman boroughs of Ireland and Wales to the English king, his council and parliament. These petitions shed light on the relationship between Irish and Welsh towns, and their inhabitants, and the royal administrations of Edward I and his successors. This chapter finds that, despite Ireland and Wales’ lack of regular representation in parliament, Irish and Welsh municipalities made regular use of petitions to seek ‘justice’ or ‘favour’, which were as likely to be considered by the English parliament as other petitions. Irish and Welsh municipalities sought justice to counter the administrative misfeasance of royal officials, while they typically sought favour of a financial nature (e.g. murage or tax relief). Additionally, and distinct from English municipalities, they also regularly sought help against the native Irish and Welsh.