The evolution of parliament Flashcards
State the three key elements that emerged in the development of UK politics as a result of the fact that the UK was formed from a series of smaller Kingdoms rules by the Anglo-Saxons
- The Witan
- The principle of trial by jury
- The habeus corpus
- Despite being ignored and challenged by the normans following their conquest in 1066, they would go on to underpin the barons revolt of 1214 and the UK constitution, when it was eventually formulated
Describe the principle of trial by jury
This is the idea that a group of 12 peers would hear the evidence of the case and decide if the accused was guilty, with the King deciding upon the sentence
Explain the concept of trial by ordeal
The medieval practise of putting someone through an ordeal to determine whether they were guilty. This would include things like burning their hand to see how well it healed; more common in the rest of Europe
What is the habeus corpus?
A process in law which means that a person can appeal to the courts against unfair or illegal imprisonment. This means that the weakest in society were protected from the strongest by the rule of law
Describe the role of chancellor of the exchequer
The government ministers responsible for calculating, collecting and distributing government funds through taxation and duties
Explain the role of the witan
A council that advised the King on taxation and military matters. Established the idea that the King should consult with the lords before taking decisions and taxation and commanding the people. It was also their job to decide who should be King
Describe the feudal system present between 1066-1215
The King owned all the land and everyone had to swear an oath of ‘fealty’ to him. The King would give land to the nobles, who would use knights to manage it for the King. This allowed the King to delegate many of his responsibilities in running England to the nobles. Over time, the nobles went from supplying armies to supplying cash. It was the job of the chancellor of the exchequer to determine what the nobles owed
Why was it so important that nobles could rule on behalf of the King between 1066-1215?
The King would often be a lord in France and have to return to normandy. These chief nobles acted like modern PMs and established the principle that royal authority could be exerted by someone other than the King
How did the King deal with the fact that he was not always available to oversee court hearings and dispense justice?
He appointed justices of the peace who travel across the country to hear cases on behalf of the crown. This marked the beginning of the English legal system and many common law precedents that continue to this day
How was King John seen as King?
As much more ruthless and ineffective than his predecessors
What made the nobles resent King John?
- Raising money in England to fund wars in France
- Abuse of royal powers
- Conflict with the church
- Arbitrary use of the justice system for his own ends
What was the only way the King was allowed to raise tax according to the magna carta?
With the consent of the people
What two things were guaranteed by the magna carta?
- The right to due process in the law
- The right to a trial by jury
What did justice have to be according to the magna carta?
Free and fair
What were the nobles now able to do to check the power of the King as a result of the magna carta?
Appoint a council of 25 nobles to scrutinise his actions
