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Difficulty: HardMagna Carta and the Development of Parliament

The sealing of the Magna Carta in 12151215 by King John limited the monarch's power and solidified the principle that the King must consult his subjects. By the middle of the 14th14^{th} century, how had the resulting Great Council evolved to reflect the distinct interests of the nobility and the growing merchant and knightly classes?

  1. The assembly split into two separate chambers, forming the foundations of the House of Lords and the House of Commons.Answer
  2. B
    The assembly introduced a system of universal suffrage, allowing every adult in England to vote for their representatives in a single chamber.
  3. C
    The assembly was restricted to exactly 10661066 members to maintain the strict social hierarchy established during the Norman Conquest.
  4. D
    The assembly was permanently disbanded in 14851485 to ensure that the new Tudor dynasty held absolute authority over taxation.

Answer

The assembly split into two separate chambers, which eventually became known as the House of Lords and the House of Commons.
The correct answer accurately describes the historical evolution of Parliament during the reign of Edward III in the mid-14th century, when the House of Lords and the House of Commons were established as separate bodies representing different social tiers.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the historical significance of the year 12151215.
In 12151215, King John sealed the Magna Carta, which established that the monarch was subject to the law and must consult the Great Council.
This sets the foundation for parliamentary development.
2
Examine the evolution of the Great Council during the Middle Ages.
By the mid-13001300 s, the council became more organized and inclusive of representatives from the towns (burgesses) and the lesser nobility (knights).
Parliamentary structure adapted to include more than just the highest-ranking nobles.
3
Identify the specific structural change that occurred in the mid-14th14^{th} century.
The representatives began to meet in two houses: the nobility and senior clergy in the House of Lords, and the knights and burgesses in the House of Commons.
This bicameral split is the defining feature of the early English Parliament.

Key Concept

The transition from the Great Council to a bicameral Parliament (Lords and Commons).
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Magna Carta and the Development of Parliament

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