Richard III and Parliament: Part 1

A background to Parliament

In the 15th century Parliament was made up of Lords and Commons.

Lords:

Upper ranks of the nobility and churchmen

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Commons:

Knights and burgesses

Although not truly representative in modern terms, it represented the views of the people that mattered. The deliberations of the commons were controlled by the speaker and the Lords deliberations were controlled by the Lord Chancellor. 

 

 

 

Both roles were carried out by royal servants appointed by the King so they could control, on the King's behalf, what could and could not be said. 

 

 

For example, Richard III appointed William Catesby as speaker, he was a trusted agent of the Crown and was described as 'the King's man through and through'.

What was the purpose of Parliament?

• In the 15th century the role of Parliament was to meet the crown's financial (and other) needs and to settle the affairs of the realm.
• It could make laws for public good and benefit from economic interests.
• However, parliament did not exist independently for the King's will. It was a royal institution that could be summoned or dismissed by the King.
•  Parliament's role was to assist with the implementation-not the making- of royal policy.

The Role of Parliament in society.

• Although Parliament was a royal institution it had an important function in society.
• Fundamentally it provided the King with money.
•  England was an example of a limited monarchy.
• Strictly speaking, the King could not tax the people without the agreement of the commons.
• The King could only tax with the agreement of parliament.
• It was expected that, under normal circumstances, the King should rely on income  of the Crown lands and feudal dues. However, in times of emergency, the Commons could be asked to agree on taxation. 
• They never disagreed however at times they could put restrictions on it.
• For example in 1472 Parliament collected taxes for Edward IV for war with France but warned him that unless he set sail by a certain date, the money was to be returned to the tax payers.

As with taxation, the King was unable to make, amend or repeal laws without parliamentary consent although it was not likely that Parliament would refuse the King's legislation