A Quick History of the British Parliament

A Quick History of the British Parliament

If you’re curious about how the government in the United Kingdom works, you’ve come to the right place! While the British Parliament doesn’t have a very quick history, I’ve tried to condense it down to make it easily understandable. With our further ado, keep reading to learn more about the British Parliament’s origins and how it progressed over the centuries!

The 13th century and the Magna Carta

The first page of the Magna Carta – WikiCommons

In 1215, the Magna Carta was created and signed. It was a document that gave wealthy landowners, or barons, the right to serve as advisors on the Great Council to the king of England on government issues. The barons weren’t elected but rather chosen by the king.  By 1236, the Great Council was called “Parliament.”

Beginning in 1254, each county in England was required to send representatives to meet with the king to discuss taxes. These representatives were called “knights of the shire.” Then, in 1258, the nobility who were serving on the Parliament created the “Provisions of Oxford” which required the representatives of each county to meet regularly.

By the end of the 13th century, in 1295, Parliament included two representatives from each town and county in England as well as all nobles and bishops. This would become the model for the Parliament that still exists today!

The 14th century and a king removed from the throne

Anonymous artist’s impression of Richard II in the 16th century. National Portrait Gallery, London – WikiCommons

Parliament continued to evolve in the 14th century. The body of legislature was divided into the same two houses that exist today: noblemen and bishops making up the House of Lords, and the knights of the shire and other local representatives called burgesses making up the House of Commons.

Parliament kept growing. In 1362, a statute was passed that made Parliament responsible for approving all types of taxation. This was a huge step for a country that relied mostly on its monarch to make decisions.

The monarch at the time, Richard II was likely not too happy with Parliament’s new powers. In 1376, several of King Richard’s advisors were tried and impeached by Parliament. Then, in 1399, after years of struggle between the monarch and the legislative body, King Richard II was removed from the throne by Parliament making way for Henry IV to become king.

The 15th and 16th centuries tiptoe around democracy in England

Sir Thomas More. Wellcome Library, London – WikiCommons

When King Henry IV took the throne, Parliament continued to be given more power. The people were ultimately given more power as well, as they were now allowed to vote for their own burgesses to represent their county or town in the House of Commons.

Henry V took the throne in 1414. He was the first monarch to state that new laws needed to be approved and supported in both houses of Parliament before they were to be enacted. Smells like democracy, doesn’t it?

Not so fast. In the early 1500s, a few members of Parliament began to speak out for freedom of speech. The famous philosopher (and member of Parliament) Sir Thomas More was the first to speak out. Then, in 1576, another member named Peter Wentworth argued for free speech as well, and he was imprisoned in the Tower of London.

Fast forward a few years and Wentworth was imprisoned again for speaking out for freedom of religion. Although the monarch at the time, Elizabeth I, thought that she had squashed any inkling of rebellion, Wentworth’s words would go on to inspire the first Puritans to sail to the “New World” and start the first 13 colonies of the future United States.

The 17th century and the English Civil War

Oliver Cromwell by Ann Longmore-Etheridge – Flickr

England was submerged in a civil war throughout most of the 17th century, from 1603 to 1660. Because the country was so torn, a military leader named Oliver Cromwell was named Lord Protector and was given power over the nation. The king, Charles I was executed in 1649.

Cromwell conquered Scotland in 1649 and Ireland in 1651 and declared that together with England and Wales, the four countries made up the United Kingdom. Parliament remained in control, but a new “Rump Parliament” was created in an effort to block out supporters of former king Charles I.

In 1649, Parliament declared that England was a commonwealth and that the monarchy was abolished. Then, Cromwell dismantled the Rump Parliament and created a new body of legislation, the Nominated Assembly. But, Cromwell died in 1658 and his son Richard attempted to replace him. Richard was soon removed and Charles I’s son, Charles II, was named as king. The monarchy was officially restored.

Religion was a major issue in England in the 17th century. After Charles II was succeeded by his brother James II in 1685, Parliament introduced a law that states that Catholics couldn’t hold office. Although King James II had had amicable relations with Parliament until this point, in 1689 he was removed from the throne for being Catholic.

His eldest daughter Mary took the throne with her husband William, and when she did she gave even more power back to Parliament. When the pair died, it was Parliament that declared George of Hanover king.

Parliament today

The Palace of Westminster in London, the meeting place of Parliament by Mike Gimelfarb – WikiCommons

Throughout the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries, Parliament has evolved and grown, much like the United Kingdom itself. I already mentioned that Scotland and Ireland were annexed onto England to create the UK, and thus both countries sent their own Parliament representatives to both the House of Lords and the House of Commons.

The 20th century, in particular, welcomed the “Reform Acts,” one of which gave women the right to vote in 1918, and in the same year, the first woman ever was elected to Parliament.

In 1911 and 1949 respectively, the House of Commons was given more power. To this day it is larger than the House of Lords, and all members are elected. The members of the House of Lords are not elected and are placed in power thanks to a system of peerage set in place for noblemen. The House of Commons has 650 members, while the House of Lords has 90. Additionally, all legislation must be backed by the House of Commons for it to become law.

The houses of Parliament are the only body in the British constitutional monarchy that has the ability to create and approve laws. The monarch acts more as a figurehead, while a prime minister represents the executive branch. They convene at the Palace of Westminster.

Conclusion

I hope this article has helped you understand Parliament and how the government in the United Kingdom works in general!

If you want to learn more about the British government, Parliament, and the monarchy, why not join one of our walking tours in London? Our local guides really know their stuff and are sure to be able to answer any other questions that you may have. Click here to see all of the options and to make a reservation!