Historical Context Flashcards
Uncodified constitution
This describes a constitution where the laws, rules and principles specifying how a state is governed are not gathered in a single document. Instead, they are found in a variety of sources - some written, e.g. Statute law and some unwritten, e.g. Convention.
Habeas corpus
A process in law which means a person can appeal to the courts against unfair or illegal imprisonment.
Trial by jury
The idea that a group of twelve peers would hear the evidence in a case and decide if the accused was guilty.
Trial by ordeal
The medieval practice of putting the accused through an ordeal to determine guilt, such as burning their hand and waiting to see how well it healed.
Chancellor of the exchequer
The government official responsible for calculating, collecting and distributing government funds through taxation and duties.
House of Commons
The chamber where elected members of the UK parliament sit.
House of Lords
The second, unelected, chamber of the UK parliament.
Palace of Westminster
Originally the royal palace attached to Westminster Hall, today it is the seat of government and comprises Westminster Hall, the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
Parler
A French term meaning to speak or converse.
Parliament
The British legislative body that is made up of the House of Commons, the House of Lords and the monarchy.
Westminster Hall
A large chamber in Westminster where the early Norman kings would meet with the nobility.
Acts of Parliament
Laws that have been formally passed by parliament and given royal assent by the monarch.
Codified constitution
A single, authoritative document that sets out the laws, rules and principles by which a state is governed, and which protects the rights of citizens.
Sovereignty
The control of power and the ability to distribute and reclaim it in a political system.
Declaration of rights
A statement of the rights of the subject which also declared that the monarch could not act without the consent of parliament.
