History of Parliament
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The history of Parliament is the story of the gradual evolution of a representative institution from the early medieval period to its current form as a cornerstone of democracy in the United Kingdom. It developed over centuries from the political and administrative needs of English monarchs, driven by power struggles and demands for accountability.
The roots of Parliament can be traced to the Anglo-Saxon Witan (or Witenagemot), an assembly of nobles and clergy that advised the king. After the Norman Conquest in 1066, this practice continued under William the Conqueror, though in a more centralised form. A crucial turning point came in 1215 with the sealing of the Magna Carta, which limited the king’s authority and required him to seek the consent of the Great Council, a precursor to Parliament, for the levying of taxes. This established the principle that the monarch must consult a representative body, marking the beginning of parliamentary governance.
A significant development occurred in 1265 when Simon de Montfort, a rebel leader, summoned what is often regarded as the first representative English parliament. This assembly included knights from the counties and burgesses (town representatives), marking the inclusion of commoners in national decision-making. This structure laid the groundwork for the later House of Commons.
In 1295, Edward I convened what became known as the Model Parliament, which formalised the inclusion of clergy, nobility, knights, and burgesses, creating a representative institution that began to reflect the broader interests of society. Over the next few centuries, Parliament’s role expanded, with the two houses, Lords and Commons, becoming distinct entities by the 14th century. The House of Commons gradually gained power, particularly as it controlled taxation, which gave it significant leverage over the monarchy.
The 17th century saw intense struggles between Parliament and the monarchy, culminating in the English Civil War and the execution of King Charles I in 1649. This period established the principle that Parliament, not the monarch, held ultimate authority over legislation. The Glorious Revolution of 1688 further solidified parliamentary sovereignty, leading to the 1689 Bill of Rights, which set out limits on royal power and enshrined the rights of Parliament.
In 1707, the Parliaments of England and Scotland merged to form the Parliament of Great Britain under the Acts of Union. This was followed in 1801 by the inclusion of Ireland to create the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Over the 19th and 20th centuries, reforms such as the Reform Acts expanded the electorate and made the institution more democratic, reducing the influence of aristocratic privilege.
Today, the UK Parliament, based at the Palace of Westminster, comprises the House of Commons and the House of Lords, functioning as the supreme legislative body. Its development reflects centuries of negotiation between power, representation, and the demands of a growing and diverse society, making it one of the oldest continuous representative institutions in the world.
The roots of Parliament can be traced to the Anglo-Saxon Witan (or Witenagemot), an assembly of nobles and clergy that advised the king. After the Norman Conquest in 1066, this practice continued under William the Conqueror, though in a more centralised form. A crucial turning point came in 1215 with the sealing of the Magna Carta, which limited the king’s authority and required him to seek the consent of the Great Council, a precursor to Parliament, for the levying of taxes. This established the principle that the monarch must consult a representative body, marking the beginning of parliamentary governance.
A significant development occurred in 1265 when Simon de Montfort, a rebel leader, summoned what is often regarded as the first representative English parliament. This assembly included knights from the counties and burgesses (town representatives), marking the inclusion of commoners in national decision-making. This structure laid the groundwork for the later House of Commons.
In 1295, Edward I convened what became known as the Model Parliament, which formalised the inclusion of clergy, nobility, knights, and burgesses, creating a representative institution that began to reflect the broader interests of society. Over the next few centuries, Parliament’s role expanded, with the two houses, Lords and Commons, becoming distinct entities by the 14th century. The House of Commons gradually gained power, particularly as it controlled taxation, which gave it significant leverage over the monarchy.
The 17th century saw intense struggles between Parliament and the monarchy, culminating in the English Civil War and the execution of King Charles I in 1649. This period established the principle that Parliament, not the monarch, held ultimate authority over legislation. The Glorious Revolution of 1688 further solidified parliamentary sovereignty, leading to the 1689 Bill of Rights, which set out limits on royal power and enshrined the rights of Parliament.
In 1707, the Parliaments of England and Scotland merged to form the Parliament of Great Britain under the Acts of Union. This was followed in 1801 by the inclusion of Ireland to create the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Over the 19th and 20th centuries, reforms such as the Reform Acts expanded the electorate and made the institution more democratic, reducing the influence of aristocratic privilege.
Today, the UK Parliament, based at the Palace of Westminster, comprises the House of Commons and the House of Lords, functioning as the supreme legislative body. Its development reflects centuries of negotiation between power, representation, and the demands of a growing and diverse society, making it one of the oldest continuous representative institutions in the world.
