Parliament in the 14th Cent.: Pecunia Nervus Belli

Early DevelopmentsHenry III – Threats to the King

PrecedentsEdward I – Needs of War

Model Parliament

Institutionalization of ParliamentEdward II – Grievances &

TaxationSelf-ConsciousnessDeposition of a King

Edward III – “Modern” FeaturesImpact of WarTwo GroupsDuties & Influence

Richard II – Constitutional Conflict

Extreme MeasuresDeposition of a KingPersonal Relationship

Combative or Collaborative

Houses of Parliament, 19th cent.

Early DevelopmentsEarliest Iterations

Anglo-Saxon WitanNorman Curia RegisBody of Advisors to the King

Henry III (r. 1216-72)Rocky Relations with Nobility (£)1258: Oxford Parliament (Provisions)1265: de Montfort’s Parliament2 Knights of the Shire2 Burgesses of the Towns“Community of the Realm”/ “Commons”

Precedents: Power & Communitas Money the Foundation of Conflict

A-S King with the Witan

Edwardian DevelopmentEdward I (r. 1272-1307)

Strong Character; Wars vs. Welsh, Scots

1295: The “Model” ParliamentScottish Rebellion; ‘96 InvasionEchoed Montfort’s IdeasHigh Nobility and ClergyKnights and BurgessesUnicameral BodyEst. Pattern of Petitions Before Taxes

1297: Need for War FinanceConfirmed Magna CartaAgreement on Consent of Community for New Taxation Policies

Parliament Primarily Lay; ConvocationMagna Carta, 1297

The Institutionalization of ParliamentEdward II (r. 1307-27)

By 1320s Parliament Summoned Nearly Every YearAiring of GrievancesGranting of Taxes

Parliamentary Identity/ConsciousnessCommons: Gentry & Urban LeadersPowers of Purse & PetitionBody: Influence Royal Advisors(e.g. Gaveston, Despenser)

To Depose a King (Abdicate, Resign)1327: Articles of Deposition (6)Evil Council, Corruption

Gentry, Merchants, & Clergy

Parliaments of Edward III (r. 1327-77)Popularity of the King

Lessons from His Father; Cooperative

Early Conflict with France, ‘38 –> Impact of War: Massive Funding1341: Two Groups, “Bicameral”Upper, Lower ChambersAdvisors Accountable to Parliament

Duties & Character at mid-CenturyCommons: “Representatives”; BillsLords: “Peers of the Realm”; Power Check

1370s: Growth of Opposition to War, Taxation1376: “Good Parliament”; 2+ YearsPeter de la Ware; Reform vs. MinistersImpeachment of Lord William Latimer

House of Commons (Modern)

Constitutional Conflict under Richard IIRichard II (r. 1377-99)

Extreme Measures1386: “Wonderful” ParliamentImpeachment of Favorites1388: “Merciless” ParliamentLords Appellant in ChargeExecution of Advisors (Treason)1399: Royal Extortion & FinesSeizure of Gaunt’s LandsBolingbroke’s AlliesParliament’s Deposition(Richard II’s Abdication)

Personal Relationship b/w King & Parlia.Combative if ArbitraryCooperative if Just

Richard II, Westminster Abbey