Welsh Legal History Society
Cymdeithas Hanes Cyfraith Cymru

The Welsh Legal History Society

The Welsh Legal History Society exists to spread knowledge of, and promote research into, the rich history of law in Wales. That history extends from a fascinating medieval indigenous legal system to the specific (sometimes surprising) application of law within Wales in more modern times.

The work of lawyers and commentators with Welsh connections is also addressed by the Society. Its historical interests cover both the doctrinal history of the law and the contextual study of the law in the society in which it operates.

The Society holds lectures and conferences, and publishes annual volumes which are included in the subscription rate.

For more details about the society, or to join, please see the membership page

Events of interest

The 2024 British Legal History Conference

will be held at Bristol from the 3 rd -6 th July and Welsh law and the WLHS will be well represented. A session on the morning of Thursday 4 th will feature papers by Angharad Elias on Dr John David Rhys and Medieval Welsh Law, Sara Elin Roberts on Aliens in Medieval Welsh Law, and Thomas Glyn Watkin on post-Union legal knowledge in Renaissance Wales.

The conference, which brings together scholars from all over the world, has its origins in Wales, the first meeting having taken place in Aberystwyth in 1972.

Webinar:The Church in Wales a Century On

Despite the present circumstances, there's much to interest WLHS members in the near future. At 5.30pm on Thursday January 28th there will be a public webinar, in conjunction with Public Law Wales, on The Church in Wales a Century On - the Disestablished Church and the Devolved Constitutionthe webinar will be delivered viz Zoom, and is free to attend. Full details of the event and speakers are available as a PDF here.

You can Register for the event here

Seminar Cyfraith Hywel

A new list of publications by Seminat Cyfraith Hywel is now available. They can be purchased from their online shop

New book now available

Land of White Gloves? A history of crime and punishment in Wales

Richard Ireland, University of Aberystwyth, UK

Series: History of Crime in the UK and Ireland

Land of White Gloves? is an important academic investigation into the history of crime and punishment in Wales. The book will appeal to those who wish to examine the relationships between state control and social practice and explores the material in an accessible way, which will be both useful and fascinating to those interested in the history of Wales and of the history of crime and punishment more generally.

20% discount available if ordered directly from the Routledge website - quote FLR40 at checkout
More details (PDF)

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