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Questions and Answers
What was the earliest precedent for an English parliament?
What was the earliest precedent for an English parliament?
The anglo-Saxon era, under King Athelstan (reigns 924-927)
What were the three specific occasions when the King's Counsel would meet?
What were the three specific occasions when the King's Counsel would meet?
Christmas, Easter, and Whitsun (Pentecost)
What was the role of the royal clerk in the King's Counsel?
What was the role of the royal clerk in the King's Counsel?
To write down charters, making the meetings official
What was one of the key functions of the King's Counsel?
What was one of the key functions of the King's Counsel?
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What was unique about the King's Counsel in England compared to similar assemblies on the continent?
What was unique about the King's Counsel in England compared to similar assemblies on the continent?
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What change did the Norman conquest introduce to the King's Counsel?
What change did the Norman conquest introduce to the King's Counsel?
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What was the significance of the Witan assembly?
What was the significance of the Witan assembly?
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What was the result of William the Conqueror's involvement of important people in the reforms?
What was the result of William the Conqueror's involvement of important people in the reforms?
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What feudal concepts did William graft onto Anglo-Saxon assemblies?
What feudal concepts did William graft onto Anglo-Saxon assemblies?
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What term began to be used in the 1170s to describe a council of king and magnates?
What term began to be used in the 1170s to describe a council of king and magnates?
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Why was the development of counsel as a feudal obligation significant?
Why was the development of counsel as a feudal obligation significant?
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What contributed to the increase in the authority of the council during Richard Lionheart's reign?
What contributed to the increase in the authority of the council during Richard Lionheart's reign?
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What precedent was established during Richard Lionheart's absence?
What precedent was established during Richard Lionheart's absence?
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What kind of counsel did King John prefer to receive?
What kind of counsel did King John prefer to receive?
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What was the impression given by King John's preference for familiar counsel?
What was the impression given by King John's preference for familiar counsel?
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What was the limitation of the common counsel of barons, even when they were involved in decision-making?
What was the limitation of the common counsel of barons, even when they were involved in decision-making?
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Study Notes
The King's Counsel, Witan: The Predecessor of Modern Parliaments
- The King's Counsel, also known as Witan, was the first body to evolve into a parliament in England before the Norman conquest.
- The remotest precedent for an English parliament dates back to the Anglo-Saxon era, under King Athelstan (reigns 924-927).
- King Athelstan used an assembly of people from various parts of the kingdom to meet with him in his palace, especially on Christmas, Easter, and Whitsun.
- These assemblies had a formal character, with charters written down and a royal clerk present, and fulfilled various functions.
- Functions of the assemblies included:
- Displaying charisma, where the king displayed his power.
- Promotion of consensus, where the king interacted with important people and gained their approval.
- Drafting of legislation, which was not a function of similar assemblies on the continent.
The Norman Conquest and Its Impact on the Assembly
- The Norman conquest introduced new aspects, including crown-wearing as a more prominent element of these meetings.
- William the Conqueror involved the most important people in the kingdom in reforms and discussed the most important issues in the kingdom.
- The Norman conquest also introduced feudal concepts of auxilium and consilium to Anglo-Saxon assemblies.
- The use of the French word "parlement" to denote a council of king and magnates dates back to the 1170s.
- The development of counsel as a feudal obligation showed that it was valued by the ruler, and created a basis for consensus.
Evolution of the Council
- The council's authority increased during the long absence of Richard Lionheart.
- The council could speak for the whole kingdom without implying that it was challenging royal authority.
- This created a precedent, making the king's summoning of the council a necessity.
- John's reign showed that the king should summon the council, and that asking the counsel of friends and relatives gave the impression of bringing bad decisions.
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Description
This quiz explores the origins of parliaments in England, from the King's Counsel to the Anglo-Saxon era, and how they evolved over time.
