The country people and the
town people also had a community of interest by both being
encompassed by the county courts. The peasants were not
represented in the county courts nor in Parliament. One had to
have land to be entitled to vote because the landowner had a stake
in the country, a material security for his good behavior.
Parliaments without knights and burgesses still met with the king.
But it was understood that no extraordinary tax could be levied
without the knights and burgesses present. Ordinary taxes could be
arranged with individuals, estates, or communities. The lower
clergy ceased to attend Parliament and instead considered taxes to
pay to the king during their national church convocations, which
were held at the same time as Parliament. For collection purposes,
their diocesan synod was analogous to the count court. The higher
clergy remained in Parliament because they were feudal vassals of
the king.
Edward's council was the highest tribunal. It comprised the
chancellor, treasurer and other great officers of state, the
justices of the three courts, the master or chief clerks of the
chancery, and certain selected prelates and barons. The council
assisted the king in considering petitions. Most petitions to the
King were private grievances of individuals, including people of
no social rank, such as prisoners. Other petitions were from
communities and groups, such as religious houses, the two
universities, boroughs, and counties.
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