The Parliament of England 1559-1581 - Softcover

Elton, G. R.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0521389887 ISBN 13: 9780521389884

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2008

Synopsis

This is a comprehensive account of the parliament of early modern England at work, written by the leading authority on sixteenth-century English, constitutional and political history. Professor Elton explains how parliament dealt with bills and acts, discusses the many various matters that came to notice there, and investigates its role in political matters. In the process he proves that the prevailing doctrine, developed by the work of Sir John Neale, is wrong, that parliament did not acquire a major role in politics; that the notion of a consistent, body of puritan agitators in opposition to the government is mere fiction and, although the Commons processed more bills than the House of Lords, the Lords occupied the more important and influential role. Parliament's fundamental function in the government of the realm lay rather in the granting of taxes and the making of laws. The latter were promoted by a great variety of interests - the Crown, the Privy Council, the bishops, and particularly by innumerable private initiators. A very large number of bills failed, most commonly for lack of time but also because agreement between the three partners (Queen, Lords and Commons) could not be reached.

About this title

Book Description:

This is a comprehensive account of the parliament of early modern England, written by the leading authority on sixteenth-century English, constitutional and political history. Professor Elton explains how parliament dealt with bills and acts, discusses the many various matters that came to notice there, and investigates its role in political matters.

From the Back Cover:

This is the first comprehensive account of the parliament of early modern England at work, by the leading authority on sixteenth-century English constitutional and political history. It explains its way with bills and acts, discusses the many various matters that came to notice there, and investigates its role in matters political.

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0521389887
• ISBN 13: 9780521389884
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 412