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The beginnings of Parliament

Study note

Parliament as we know it grew out of the Middle Ages. In its earliest form it began as the king's council of advisers, a group that included leading noblemen and senior Church leaders. The king turned to this council for advice and, very often, for money.

Indeed, raising money was the main reason kings called parliaments at all. When a ruler needed funds, for war or for other purposes, he would summon Parliament to grant them.

Over time Parliament took on the shape we recognise today, dividing into two Houses. The nobility, the great landowners and the bishops sat in the House of Lords. Knights and wealthy people from the towns and cities, by contrast, were elected to sit in the House of Commons. North of the border, Scotland had its own Parliament, which was made up of three Houses called Estates. Remember the two English Houses and the three Scottish Estates.

Memory tip: Parliament's two Houses: Lords (nobles and bishops) and Commons (elected); Scotland had three Estates.

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Question 1 of 4

In which House did the nobility, great landowners and bishops sit?

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The beginnings of Parliament: questions, answers and explanations

  1. 1. In which House did the nobility, great landowners and bishops sit?

    • The House of Lords
    • The House of Commons
    • The Royal Society
    • The Scottish Estates

    Correct answer: The House of Lords

    Nobles, great landowners and bishops sat in the House of Lords.

  2. 2. Who were elected to sit in the early House of Commons?

    • Only the king's family
    • Only bishops
    • Knights and wealthy people from towns and cities
    • Roman governors

    Correct answer: Knights and wealthy people from towns and cities

    Knights and wealthy townspeople were elected to the House of Commons.

  3. 3. How many Houses, called Estates, did the Scottish Parliament have?

    • Three
    • Two
    • Four
    • One

    Correct answer: Three

    The Scottish Parliament had three Houses called Estates: the lords, the commons and the clergy.

  4. 4. In the Middle Ages, kings often called Parliament when they needed to raise money.

    • True
    • False

    Correct answer: True

    True. Parliaments were frequently called when the king needed money.

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