The English Parliament has a storied history, marked by its unique development and the motives behind its frequent convenings. Unlike other European parliamentary systems, the English Parliament evolved with distinct characteristics and purposes that were closely tied to the needs and governance of the realm.
Financial and Administrative Motives
The frequent summoning of the Parliament in England was driven by both financial and administrative reasons. The monarch understood the importance of securing the support of the middle classes, particularly those in shire and town, for the effective collection of taxes. This financial motive was complemented by an administrative one: the desire to enhance the efficiency of royal power through regular engagement with the governed.
Addressing Grievances and Oversight of Local Officials
A key administrative function of the early Parliaments was to serve as a forum for addressing the grievances of subjects. This allowed the monarch to govern in accordance with the real local needs of the populace. Moreover, Parliament played a crucial role in overseeing the conduct of local officials. By receiving and examining numerous petitions for redress, Parliament helped to ensure that misdeeds and abuses of power by local authorities were checked.
The Unique Composition of the English Parliament
The structure of the English Parliament set it apart from its European counterparts. While continental systems typically organized representation into three Estates—clergy, nobles, and bourgeois—the English Parliament divided itself into two Houses: the Lords and the Commons. This division did not strictly follow the lines of social estates as seen elsewhere in Europe.
Differentiation within the Nobility
In England, the nobility itself was divided between the ‘barones majors’ and the ‘barones minors’. The ‘barones majors’, or the higher nobility, took their seats in the House of Lords. Meanwhile, the ‘barones minors’, along with knights and gentry—representing lower nobility and substantial landowners—were seated in the House of Commons. This separation within the ranks of the nobility allowed for a more varied representation of interests within the English legislative system.
No Separate Estate of Clergy
Unlike the continental system, the English Parliament did not establish a separate estate for the clergy. Instead, bishops and certain high-ranking abbots continued to sit in the House of Lords, but in their secular capacity as barony holders, rather than as representatives of a clerical estate. This integration of the clergy into the upper house further distinguished the English Parliament from other European legislative bodies.
Questions for UPSC
– How did the composition of the English Parliament differ from the typical European model of the Estates-General, and what implications did this have for English governance?
– In what ways did the early English Parliaments contribute to the oversight and accountability of local officials?
– Considering the financial and administrative motives behind summoning Parliament, how did this practice influence the relationship between the monarchy and the middle classes?