Model Parliament facts for kids
The Model Parliament was a very important meeting in England in the year 1295. It was called by King Edward I. Historians call it the "Model Parliament" because it set an example for how future parliaments would be organized.
What Was the Model Parliament?
This special meeting brought together different groups of people. It included leaders from the church (clergy) and noble families (aristocracy). It also had representatives from different areas of England.
- Each county sent two knights.
- Each town (called a borough) chose two burgesses, who were like town representatives.
- Each big city also sent two citizens.
This mix of people became the standard for how parliaments would be set up later on.
Why Was It Called?
King Edward I called this parliament to meet in Westminster on November 13, 1295. He famously said that "what touches all, should be approved of all." This meant that big decisions affecting everyone should be agreed upon by everyone.
The main reason King Edward called this meeting was to get money. He needed funds for his wars, especially against the French and the Scots. He also needed money to stop a rebellion in Wales.
More Than Just Money
Even though raising money was important, the Model Parliament also started a new tradition. People began to use these meetings to tell the king about their problems or "grievances."
It was like a trade: the people would agree to pay taxes for the king's wars if the king listened to their concerns. This idea was just starting, but it was a big step for how parliaments would work in the future.
At this time, the parliament was not split into two separate groups like the House of Commons and the House of Lords we know today. It was a single group. The Model Parliament had 49 lords and 292 representatives from the common people.
Setting a New Rule
The Model Parliament also helped create a rule for who could attend future parliaments. If a noble (or a church leader) received an invitation to the 1295 parliament, their future family members usually had a right to be invited too. This idea of a "hereditary right" became more formal much later, around 1387.
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