Gower (Lordship)

Lordship of Gower
Arglwyddiaeth Gŵyr
Client state of the Kingdom of England
c. 1116–1536
Map of the Lordship, showing the area detached (Betws), the area added (Kilvey Lordship) and the Town and Franchise of Swansea. The language boundary is shown as a dotted line.
Capital		Swansea
Government		Lordship
Lord
•	1158 - 1184	William de Newburgh
•	1331 - 1354	John, Lord Mowbray
•	1492	Somerset Lord Herbert
Historical era		Middle Ages
•	Conquered by the Normans	c. 1116
•	Annexation by Henry VIII	1536
Preceded by Succeeded by Glywysing Deheubarth Kingdom of England

Coordinates: 51°37′12″N 4°08′13″W / 51.620°N 4.137°W / 51.620; -4.137

Gower was an ancient marcher lordship of Deheubarth in south-west Wales.

The district, prior to the Norman invasion, was the commote of Gŵyr, a part of Cantref Eginawc. Soon after the Norman conquest of Glamorgan, the southern part of the Gower peninsula was colonised by English speakers, and was formally divided into Welsh Gower and English Gower. In 1203 King John (1199–1216) granted the Lordship of Gower to William III de Braose (d.1211) for the service of one knight's fee. The Charter (Public Record Office, a.R. MisrF,i.L. BooKs, Vol. I.) dated 4 John 23 Feb. (1203) was transcribed by G. T. Clark and published in his Cartae, vol.2, charter no. 283, pp. 287–8 as follows (Grant by King John of the whole land of Gower, with its boundaries, to William de Braose):

Johannes Dei gracia Rex Anglie Dominus Hibernie, Dux Normannie, Aquitannie et Comes Andegavie: Archiepiscopis, episcopis, abbatibus, comitibus, baronibus, justiciaribus, vicecomitibus, ballivis et omnibus ministris et fidelibus suis, salutem. Sciatis nos dedisse concessisse et presenti carta nostra confirmasse dilecto et fideli nostro Willelmo de Braosa totam terram de Guher cum omnibus pertinenciis suis in Wallia. Habendam et tenendam sibi et heredibus suis de nobis et heredibus nostris per servicium unius militis pro omne servicio. jure volumus et firmiter precipimus quod predictus Willelmus de Braoso et heredes sui post ipsum habeant et teneant totam predictam terram de Guher cum omnibus pertinenciis suis in Wallia de nobis et heredibus nostris per predictum servicium sicut predictum est bene et in pace libere et quiete integre plenarie et honorifice cum omnibus libertatibus et liberis consuetudinibus suis in omnibus locis et omnibus rebus ad predictam terram pertinentibus. Hiis testibus: Baldewino comite Albemarlie; Willelmo de Humet, constabulario Normannie; Radulpho Tacone, tunc senescallo Normannie; Roberto de Harecurt; Hugone de Gornaco; Johanne de Pratellis; Petro de Stokes. Datum per manum Hugonis de Well' apud Rothomagum . xxiii die Februarii anno regni nostri quarto.