n at Westminster, near London) is the highest of all other,
and consisteth of three several sorts of people, that is to say, the
nobility, clergy, and commons of this realm, and thereto is not summoned
but upon urgent occasion when the prince doth see his time, and that by
several writs, dated commonly full six weeks before it begin to be holden.
Such laws as are agreed upon in the higher house by the lords spiritual
and temporal, and in the lower house by the commons and body of the realm
(whereof the convocation of the clergy, holden in Paul's, or, if occasion
so require, in Westminster Church, is a member), there speaking by the
mouth of the knights of the shire and burgesses, remain in the end to be
confirmed by the prince, who commonly resorteth thither of custom upon the
first and last days of this court, there to understand what is done and
give his royal consent to such statutes as him liketh of. Coming therefore
thither into the higher house, and having taken his throne, the speaker of
the parliament (for one is always appointed to between the houses, as an
indifferent mouth for both) readeth openly the matters there determined by
the said three estates, and then craveth the prince's consent and final
confirmation of the same. The king, having heard the sum and principal
points of each statute briefly recited unto him, answereth in French with
great deliberation unto such as he liketh "IL NOUS PLAIST," but to the
rest, "IL NE PLAIST," whereby the latter are made void and frustrate.
That also which his majesty liketh of is hereby authorised, confirmed, and
ever after holden for law, except it be repealed in any like assembly. The
number of the commons assembled in the lower house beside the clergy
consisteth of ninety knights. For each shire of England hath two gentlemen
or knights of greatest wisdom and reputation, chosen out of the body of
the same for that only purpose, saving that for Wales one only is supposed
sufficient in every county, whereby the number aforementioned is made up.
There are likewise forty and six citizens, two hundred and eighty-nine
burgesses, and fourteen barons, so that the whole assembly of the laity of
the lower house consisteth of four hundred thirty and nine persons, if the
just number be supplied. Of the laws here made likewise some are penal and
restrain the common law, and some again are found to enlarge the same. The
one sort of these also are for the most part taken strictly accor