SHORT PARLIAMENTS

JN 955 P32

"For redress of all grievances and for the amending, strengthening, and
preserving of the laws, Parliaments ought to be held frequently."--Declaration
of Rights.

LONDON

KEGAN PAUL, TRENCH & CO., 1, PATERNOSTER SQUARE
1883

(The rights of translation and of reproduction are reserved.)

THE ANCIENT LAW AND CLAIM.

Annual Parliaments declared the law and custom in Ed-
ward III.'s reign-Claimed from Richard II.-Lost
by popular neglect, and by corrupt practices originating
with the Crown-The ancient claim based on the
constitutional need for frequent appeals to the people
-Taxes refused until constituencies are consulted

CHAPTER III.

THE CLAIM NEGLECTED AND REVIVED. THE FIRST

TRIENNIAL ACT.

The statutes of Edward III. neglected-Consequent loss

of popular control over Government-Tendency to-

wards despotic monarchy-James I. favours clôture-

Intermission of Parliaments-Pym and the Parliament

trace grievances to the non-observance of the statutes

of Edward III.-The Scotch obtain a Triennial Act-

Charles I. forced by the Long Parliament to grant a

Triennial Act for England—The public joy-The

drawback to the first Triennial Act

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