Political Change: The Rise of Parliament
Trace how English kings' need for war funding forced creation of Parliament, splitting into Lords and Commons to give more people a voice in governance in Grade 7 history.
Key Concepts
English kings often needed money to pay for wars, but they couldn't raise taxes without approval. To get this approval, kings began calling together representatives from across the kingdom, including nobles, church officials, and commoners.
Over time, this gathering of representatives grew into a formal lawmaking body known as Parliament . It eventually split into two houses: the House of Lords for nobles and the House of Commons for knights and town leaders.
Common Questions
Why did English kings create Parliament?
English kings often needed to raise money for wars but could not increase taxes without approval from their subjects. To gain this approval, kings began calling together representatives from across the kingdom, including nobles, church officials, and commoners. Over time, these gatherings evolved into the formal institution of Parliament.
How was Parliament organized?
Parliament eventually split into two separate houses: the House of Lords for nobles and high church officials, and the House of Commons for knights and town leaders. Each house represented different segments of English society. This two-chamber structure became the foundation for parliamentary systems in many countries around the world.
Why was Parliament a major development in English history?
Parliament represented a crucial shift in power from the monarch to a representative body that included a broader range of people. By requiring the king to consult Parliament before taxing, it established the principle that rulers cannot act without the consent of the governed. This idea became fundamental to modern democratic governance.