History teacher sought

[ChrisGreaves]

The student is ready.
So I study history and am currently wading through the 30-years war, the 100-years war etc.

I come across terms such as "The Welsh Marches", and cannot find any reference to what/why it is called a "march".
I find other marches, Chester Marches, I think, so perhaps some out-of-work history teacher could illuminate this small dark corner of my brain ...

P.S. I'm sure it's not typos for "marshes", for it occurs far too often as "marches".

[PaulB]

From Wikipedia:

The Welsh Marches is a term which, in modern usage, denotes an imprecisely defined area along and around the border between England and Wales in the United Kingdom. The precise meaning of the term has varied at different periods.

[HansV]

Also see Council of Wales and the Marches and The Welsh Marches.

[ChrisGreaves]

The student is ready.

...and so is the web.

The term "March" is derived from the Anglo-Saxon "mearc," which means "boundary."

[ChrisGreaves]

I come across terms such as "The Welsh Marches", and cannot find any reference to what/why it is called a "march".

... and then I reached Episode 85 in Kevin Stroud's excellent podcast.
Kevin comments in part "Yes, the word “march” also produced the word “Marquis” in France. A “Marquis” was originally the lord of a march or border region. I briefly mentioned that connection back in Episode 25."
The episode itself has much more discussion on the term "March", including, I think "beyond the pale".
Cheers
Chris

[John Gray]

You must have heard of the Army Marches?
As in "An army marches on its stomach", Napoleon (perhaps)

[ChrisGreaves]

"... its stomach", Napoleon (perhaps)

Cheers
Chris

[BobH]

Written by Sousa, no doubt!