The evolution of the English political system has been marked by significant milestones, one of which was the expansion of the Great Council under King Edward I. This expansion paved the way for the inclusion of middle-class citizens in governance and set the stage for the development of the modern British Parliament. The Tudor and Stuart dynasties played pivotal roles in shaping the relationship between the monarchy and Parliament, with varying degrees of control and cooperation.
Expansion of the Great Council
In 1295, the Great Council, which was an assembly of nobles advising the King, underwent a notable change under the rule of King Edward I. For the first time, middle-class citizens were invited to participate, reflecting a broader representation of the English society. Initially, the nobles and these new middle-class members convened together; however, this arrangement eventually led to the separation into two distinct branches that constitute the contemporary UK Parliament: the House of Lords and the House of Commons.
The Rise of the Tudor Dynasty
The Tudor Dynasty commenced with Henry VII seizing the throne after his triumph in the War of Roses. This heralded a period of 118 years of Tudor rule, spanning from 1485 to 1603. Henry VII’s policies and governance laid the groundwork for the subsequent rulers of his lineage. His son, Henry VIII, maintained a tight grip on Parliament, although he permitted it to convene and deliberate on his policies. This approach demonstrated a balance between autocracy and legislative counsel during his reign.
The next in line, Edward VI, who was Henry VIII’s sole male heir, further augmented the authority of the Crown. However, his tenure was followed by that of Queen Mary I, known infamously as “Bloody Mary” due to her relentless persecution of Protestants during her five-year reign. Upon her death, Elizabeth I ascended to the throne in 1558. Her lengthy reign of 45 years is credited with establishing the foundations of the British Empire. Throughout the Tudor era, the monarchy retained the role of absolute monarchs, with Parliament often playing a subordinate role.
The Stuart Succession and Divine Right
Following the Tudor period, the Stuart family came to power with James I in 1603. James I was a staunch advocate of the divine right of kings, a doctrine that posited the monarch’s authority as being derived directly from God, thereby making the king answerable only to the divine will. His reign, which lasted until 1625, was characterized by frequent conflicts with Parliament. During the 16th century, the English middle class had risen in prominence and influence, which inevitably led to tensions with a monarchy that sought to assert its divine-sanctioned prerogatives over the growing power of the parliamentary body.
Questions for UPSC
1. How did the inclusion of middle-class citizens in the Great Council under King Edward I influence the development of democratic principles in England?
2. In what ways did the Tudor Dynasty’s approach to governance and control over Parliament shape the future relationship between the monarchy and the legislative body?
3. Considering James I’s belief in the divine right of kings, how did his reign reflect the changing dynamics between the monarchy and the increasingly influential middle class?
