On the borders of Wales, King William created three Marches as a barrier against the raiding Welsh. At Chester, Shrewsbury, and Hereford these powerful Marcher Lords, all close to William, established themselves. Ambitious Norman adventurers responded directly to the call of the Marcher Lords and looked westwards into the badlands of Wales to gain territory.
The borderlands of Wales were dan-gerous areas. Although Wales was rarely unified as one nation, its con-stituent kingdoms could field deadly forces, especially in alliance under charismatic leaders.
