Welsh devolution (original) (raw)

Welsh devolution (Welsh: Datganoli i Gymru) is the transfer of legislative power for self-governance to Wales by the Government of the United Kingdom. Wales was conquered by England during the 13th century; the 1284 Statute of Rhuddlan caused Wales to lose its de facto independence and formed the constitutional basis for it as a principality in the "Realm of England". The Laws in Wales Acts 1535 and 1542 applied English law to Wales and united the Principality and the Marches which effectively ended both and incorporated Wales into England. The Wales and Berwick Act 1746 defined "England" to include Wales until the Welsh Language Act 1967, which separated Wales from England within the sovereign state of the United Kingdom.