Glamorganshire was one of the wealthiest and most heavily populated areas of Wales. The hills and woodlands were well suited to deer and herds of cattle, sheep and goats.
The farmland benefited greatly, during the Tudor period, from liming which increased the revenue from wheat, oats, barley and rye.
Glamorgan had natural deposits of coal and iron and the Mines Royal exploited copper since the reign of Elizabeth the first. With his extensive coastline and numerous harbours, Glamorganshire was a paradise for smugglers and Welsh and Irish pirates.