One of the biggest repressive measures by the English against the Welsh was the attempts to eradicate the Welsh language. When Wales was integrated, Welsh was not included as an official language (see Laws in Wales Acts of 1535 and 1542). English was the only language of the law courts and went as far as to bar those who used Welsh from being appointed or holding any public office.

1847 Reports of the commissioners of enquiry into the state of education in Wales concludes that "The Welsh language is a vast drawback to Wales and a manifold barrier to the moral progress and commercial prosperity of the people. It is not easy to over-estimate its evil effects."

The anti Welsh in school law put in place, known as the Welsh Not resulted in students being lashed if they were caught speaking Welsh in school.