Page:William Blackstone, Commentaries on the Laws of England (3rd ed, 1768, vol I).djvu/243

Ch. 5.

HE third point of view, in which we are to conider the king, is with regard to his councils. For, in order to ait him in the dicharge of his duties, the maintenance of his dignity, and the exertion of his prerogative, the law hath aigned him a diverity of councils to advie with. 1.&ensp; firt of thee is the high court of parliament, whereof we have already treated at large. 2.&ensp;, the peers of the realm are by their birth hereditary counellors of the crown, and may be called together by the king to impart their advice in all matters of importance to the realm, either in time of parliament, or, which hath been their principal ue, when there is no parliament in being. Accordingly Bracton, peaking of the nobility of his time, ays they might properly be called “” And in our law books it is laid down, that peers are created for two reaons; 1.&ensp;, 2.&ensp;: for which reaons the law gives them certain great and high privileges; uch as freedom from arrets, &c, even when no parliament is itting: becaue the law intends, that they are always aiting the king with their counel for the commonwealth; or keeping the realm in afety by their prowes and valour. Rh