MARCHES, THE. The mark, Anglo-Saxon meape, is a word common to almost all the languages of Teutonic origin. It was the first general division of landed property, and denoted in a specific and peculiar sense those important marks by which the boundaries of wide domains were indicated, within which individual or private possessions were contained, the mark being held in common, and in this sense it is found in Anglo-Saxon writings. Hence the word the marches, that is, the country lying near and about the marks which indicated the limits of two kingdoms, dukedoma, or other extensive jurisdictions.
In Germany, the mark gave one of the titles of honour, the 'nark/ref (margrare), or lord of the marches. (Dornigss,'Deutsches Staatrecht.') Our own marquess is of the same origin, though it does not appear that the few persons who in early times (there was no English marquess before the reign of Richard II.) bore this title had any particular connection with the marches.
Great part of England being bounded by the sea, there could be but little march-land. But on the side toward Wales, and in the north where England abuts upon Scotland, there was march-land ; and when we speak of the marches, the land near the borders of the two coun tries is what is meant.
Harold was lord of the marches against the Welsh, but after they were conquered by Edward I., we hear little in history of the marches of Wales. But the term continued in use long afterwards ; and the family of Mortimer, whose chief residence was at Wigmore Castle in Herefordshire, had the chief management of the affairs of the Welsh marches, and bore the title of Earl of March. Edward IV., their lineal descendant and heir-general, was called Earl of March while his father was the Duke of York. The title is yet preserved in the family of the Duke of Richmond.
But Scotland remaining a distinct sovereignty for several centuries after the subjugation of Wales, the marches towards that country are frequently mentioned in history. The maintenance of authority in those regions was an object of great importance ; and for this purpose the marches towards Scotland were divided into two portions, the western and the middle marches, each of which bad courts peculiar to itself, and a kind of president or governor, who was called the warden.