Page:Outlines of European History.djvu/493

 England in the Middle Ages 421 and tried to rule as absolute monarchs. But the people always sooner or later bethought them of the Charter, which thus con- tinued to form a barrier against permanent despotism in England. During the long reign of John's son, Henry III, England Henry in, began to construct her Parliament, an institution which has not only played a most important role in English history, but has also served as the model for similar bodies in almost every civilized state in the world. The Great Council of the Norman kings, like the older Wite- nagemot of Saxon times, was a meeting of nobles, bishops, and abbots, which the king summoned from time to time to give him advice and aid, and to sanction important governmental undertakings. During Henry's reign its meetings became more frequent and its discussions more vigorous than before, and the name Parliament began to be applied to it. In 1265 a famous Parliament was held, where a most impor- The Com- tant new class of members — the co?nmo?ts — were present, who moned "o^ were destined to give it its future greatness. In addition to the Parliament, c ^ &^ J265 nobles and prelates, two simple knights were summoned from each county and two citizens from each of the more flourishing towns to attend and take part in the discussions. Edward I, the next king, definitely adopted this innovation. The Model He doubtless called in the representatives of the towns because EdwaS^^ " the townspeople were becoming rich and he wished to have an ^^95 opportunity to ask them to make grants of money to meet the expenses of the government. He also wished to obtain the approval of all classes when he determined upon important measures affecting the whole realm. Ever since the so-called " Model Parliament" of 1295, the commons, 'or representatives of the people, have always been included along with the clergy and nobility when the national assembly of England has been summoned. The Parliament early took the stand that the king must agree Redress of to "redress of grievances" before they would grant him any ^"^^^"'^^^ money. This meant that the king had to promise to remedy any