Crown and Parliament

• The number of MPs in Parliament grew steadily in the sixteenth century. There were 296 in 1500 and 400 in 1558. By 1600, there were 462.
• In 1515, Parliament gained control over its members. They had to seek the approval of the Speaker if they wanted to leave before the end of the session.
• In 1523, Thomas More, the Speaker, established the right of free speech for the first time. it was requested at the beginning of every Parliament subsequently.
• In 1542, the Commons gained the right to enforce freedom from arrest. Hitherto, that had been enforced by the Crown.
• Henry summoned four parliaments before 1529. The general atmosphere was not confrontational.
• Parliament and King saw their relationship as cooperation. There were disagreements, but the main aim was to secure legislation for the king’s domestic policies.
• Confrontation occurred in 1515 when MPs tried to limit the privileges of the Church. Some MPs were brought before Star Chamber and at least one died in the Tower as a result.
• In 1523 there were arguments over demands for subsidies to pay for the costs of war.
• Parliament met fewer times during the early reign of Henry VIII than during that of Henry VII and far less than in the fifteenth century.
• From 1529, (the Reformation Parliament) Parliament became more important because Henry needed it to complete the break from Rome.
• Parliament didn't gain any extra powers after the Reformation Parliament; it still met when the monarch summoned it and only then.

  • The Reformation Parliament was the exception and not the rule.
• Tudor monarchs by and large lived on their traditional incomes and summoned Parliament when there was a particular need, e.g. 1529, 1558 and when extra resources were needed for war.