History of Parliament

• Middle Ages

  Modern HofL evolved from the Royal Council meetings that happened under the Normans. The monarch would meet and discuss with their advisors. All decisions were taken by the monarch.
• 13th Century

  Henry III did not want to share power, provoking conflict. The King was captured and met at Westminster Hall in 1265, this Parliament was referred to as an assembly of 'The Commons' and forms the origins of the current Commons.
• 14th Century

  Monarch would call parliament when they wanted. But over time Parliament asserted more power, in 1362 they decreed that Parliament must approve all taxation.
• 15th Century

  By Henry IV, some citizens were given the power to vote representatives to the Commons. In 1414, Henry V assumed power and became the first monarch to acknowledge approval and consultation of Parliament.
• 17th Century

  The Civil War saw a battle over where authority lay in England, within Parliament or the King. This resulted in the abolition of the monarchy briefly, but was later reinstated. The Bill of Rights settled the question.
• 18th to 19th Century

  After signing the Bill of Rights, the monarch still had more power than today, such as appointing PM.

  The current UK parliament came into existence with the Act of Union 1707 and 1801, which brought Scotland and Ireland together in one parliament. Through the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, various acts made the Commons purely elected.