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Table of Contents
The Beginnings of the Constitutional History of England, A.D. 450-829.
1 (6)
Introduction
Early German Institutions
Classes of Society among the Germans
Political Constitution of the German Tribes
Effects of the Conquest of Britain
Distribution of the Land
Relations of Classes
Introduction of Monarchy
The Conversion of the English
Connection with the Civilised World
Promotion of National Unity
Influence of the Clergy
Consolidation of the Kingdoms of the Angles and Saxons
Originally there were many small Kingdoms
The Bretwaldas
Supremacy of Wessex
Constitution of the Anglo-Saxon Kingdom
7 (8)
Introduction
Local Institutions
The Township
As an Agricultural Community
As a Unit of Administration
As an Ecclesiastical Division
Towns
The Hundred, Ward, or Wapentake
The Shire
National Government
The King: how appointed
Powers of the King
Limitations to the Power of an Anglo
Saxon King
The Witenagemote
Origin of the Witenagemote
Composition of the Witenagemote
Powers of the Witenagemote
Conclusion
From the Beginning of the Supremacy of Wessex to the Norman Conquest, A.D. 829-1066.
15 (7)
Introduction
What is meant by Feudalism
When and where Feudalism grew up
The giving of Benefices
Commendation
Tendency to Feudalism in the Anglo
Saxon Kingdom
The King
The Nobles
Nobility of Birth
Nobility of Service
Nobility of Wealth
The Anglo
Saxon Nobility not completely Feudal
The Freemen
Political Rights
Military Service
Personal Independence
The Church
General Conclusions
The Norman Kings, A.D. 1066-1154.
22 (18)
Introduction
How the Norman Conquest helped Feudalism
How the Conquest hindered Feudalism
The Central Government
Necessity of a Strong Central Government
How the Norman Kings succeeded in establishing a Strong Central Government
The King
The Great Council
The Royal Administration
The Great Offices of State
The Justiciar
The Chancellor
The Treasurer
The Work of the Royal Administration
Norman Finance
Domesday Book
The Lands of the Crown
Feudal Revenue
The Danegelt
The Ferm of the Shire
The proceeds of the Pleas of the Crown
Norman Administration of Justice
The Cusia Regis
The Circuits of the Royal Commissioners
Norman Military System
Local Institutions
The Township
The Hundred
The Shire
The Duties of the Sheriff
Finance
Justice
War
The Towns
Relations between the State and the Church
The Classes of Society
Henry II, and his Sons, A.D. 1154-1216.
40 (18)
Introduction
Accession of Henry II.
Policy of Henry II. with reference to the Nobles
Development of Scutage
Policy of Henry II. with reference to the Church
Contest for Jurisdiction over Criminous Clerks
The Constitutions of Clarendon, 1164
The Policy of Henry II. with reference to the Commons
Policy of Henry II. with reference to Finance
Policy of Henry II. with reference to the Administration of Justice
The Development of the Curia Regis
The Improvement of the System of Circuits
The Development of the Jury System
Policy of Henry II. with reference to the Military System
Result of the Reign of Henry II.
Reign of Richard I.
Reign of John
Effects of the Loss of the French Provinces
Effects of the Conflict with the Church
The Conflict of John with the Barons
The Great Charter, 1215
The Church
The Tenants-in-chief
The Rights of Cities and Towns
Administration of Justice
The Forests
Miscellaneous
Observations upon the Great Charter
Death of John
Henry III. and Edward I., A.D. 1216-1307.
58 (14)
Introduction
The Early Years of Henry III.
Misgovernment of Henry III.
Henry forced to make Concessions
The Provisions of Oxford, 1258
The Provisions of Westminster, 1259
Continued Discontent
Arbitration of the King of France
The Barons' War and De Monttort's Parliament
Accession of Edward I.
Policy of Edward I.
Policy of Edward I. With reference to the Nobles
Policy of Edward I. with reference to the Church
Policy of Edward I. with reference to the Commons
Policy of Edward I. with reference to Finance
Policy of Edward I. with reference to the Administration of Justice
Policy of Edward I. with reference to the Military System
Tentative Parliaments
The Model Parliament of 1295
The Confirmation of the Charters
The Later Plantagenets, A.D. 1307-1485.
72 (20)
Introduction
Characteristics of the Mediæval English Parliament
Estates of the Realm
The Mediæval Parliament a Parliament of Estates
The Mediæval Parliament a Parliament of Local Communities
Definition of a Mediæval Parliament
Constitution of the Three Estates in England
The Estate of the Clergy
The Estate of the Lords Temporal
The Estate of the Commons
Classes not included in the Estate of the Commons
Distribution of Representatives
Who were Qualified to Elect Members of Parliament
Who were Qualified to be Elected as Members of Parliament
Freedom of Election
The Right of Representation little Valued
A Seat in Parliament little Valued
Duration of Parliaments
Growth of the Power of Parliament
Control of Taxation by Parliament
The Share of Parliament in Legislation
The Responsibility of Ministers to Parliament
Position of the Crown in this Period
Position of the Church in this Period
Position of the Nobles in this Period
Position of the Commons in this Period
The Peasant Revolt and the Extinction of Villeinage
Growing Inequality of Conditions
The Tudors, A.D. 1485-1603.
92 (21)
Introduction
Relations of the Tudors with their Parliaments
Control of Parliament over Taxation in the Tudor Period
Control of Parliament over Legislation in the Tudor Period
Responsibility of Ministers to Parliament in the Tudor Period
The Executive Government in the Tudor Period
The Privy Council as a Court of Justice
Why the Privy Council was so convenient as a Court of Justice
Local Administration
The County
The Parish
The Towns
Church Government
Measures taken by Henry VIII. to Enforce the Royal Supremacy
Further Reformation by Edward VI.
Reaction under Mary
Measures taken by Elizabeth to Complete the Reformation
Act of Supremacy, 1559
Act of Uniformity, 1559
Rise of the Puritans
The Court of High Commission
Close of the Tudor Period The Nobles
The Clergy
The Commons
James I., Charles I., and the Commonwealth, A. D. 1603-1660.
113 (22)
Introduction
Character and Reign of James
Constitutional Progress during the Reign of James
Taxation
Legislation
Responsibility of Ministers
The Administration of Justice The Church
Character and Early Years of Charles I.
The Absolute Government of Charles I., 1629-40
Taxation
Ship-money
Other Financial Expedients
Distraint of Knighthood
Enlargement of the Forests
Sale of Monopolies
Exorbitant Fines
Administration of Justice
Religion
The Scotch Rebellion and the Short Parliament
The Lone Parliament
Period of Unanimity in Reform
Period of Division ending in the Civil War
Political Differences
Religious Differences
The Long Parliament at War with the King
The Army and the Rump
The Rule of Oliver Cromwell
The Little Parliament
The Instrument of Government
The Parliaments of the Protectorate The Restoration
Charles II.-James II.-The Revolution and William III., A.D. 1660-1702.
135 (22)
Introduction
The Convention Parliament
Abolition of Military Tenures
The High Church Reaction
The Act of Uniformity, 1661
The Corporation Act, 1661
The Conventicle Act, 1664
The Five
Mile Act, 1665
The Royalist Reaction
Decline of Royalist Feeling
The Cabal and the Declaration of Indulgence
The Test Act of 1673
Impeachment of Danby
The Popish Plot
The Parliamentary Test, 1678
Whig and Tory
The Exclusion Bill
The Habeas Corpus Act, 1679
The Exclusion Bill brought in again
Reaction in the Country
Forfeiture of the Charters
Accession of James II.
The king Attacks the Church of England
The Declaration of Indulgence
The Revolution of 1688
The Declaration of Fights and the Bill of Rights
Importance of the Bill of Rights
Appropriation of Supplies
The Mutiny Act
The Toleration
Act, 1689
Liberty of the Press
The Triennial Act
Reform of the Procedure in Trials for High Treason
The Act of Settlement, 1701
The Sovereign to be a Member of the Church of England
Attempt to Revive the Privy Council
Exclusion of Placemen and Pensioners from the House of Commons
Independence of the Judges
Conclusion
Personal Influence of William III.
Anne, George I., and George II., A.D. 1702-1760.
157 (17)
Introduction
Reign of Anne
The Parliamentary Union of England with Scotland
Unsuccessful Attempts towards Union
The Act of Union, 1707
The High Church Reaction
Accession of the House of Hanover
The Whig Ascendency
Whig Legislation
The Septennial Act
The Peerage Bill
Development of the Cabinet
Party Government
The Two Forms of the Cabinet
The Early Form of the Cabinet
Unpopularity of the Cabinet in its Original Form
Growing Frequency of Cabinet Councils
The Later Form of the Cabinet
The Prime Minister
The Prime Minister as Controlling the Executive
The Prime Minister as the Organ of Communication between the Cabinet and the Sovereign
The Prime Minister as the Organ of Communication between the Cabinet and the Parliament
Relation of the Prime Minister to the Individual Members of his Cabinet
Deliberations of the Cabinet
The Working of the Cabinet System
Ministerial Responsibility under the Cabinet System
Final Prevalence of the Cabinet System
Reaction against the Cabinet System
Changes in the Great Offices of State
George III., A.D. 1760-1820.
174 (20)
Introduction
Accession of George III.
Fall of the Whigs
The King's Friends
The Cabinet System Attacked
The House of Commons and the Influence of the Crown
The Cabinet System still New
Indifference of the Mass of the People
Parliamentary Corruption
State of Parliamentary Representation
Case of John Wilkes
Publication of Parliamentary Debates
Fox's Libel Act, 1792
The American War
Renewed Conflicts of the King with his Ministers
The King in Conflict with the House of Commons
The King's Influence in the Latter Part of his Reign
Growing Demands for Parliamentary Reform
Progress of Religious Liberty
The Parliamentary Union of Great Britain and Ireland
Development of Democratic Ideas
The Influence of the Great French Writers of the Eighteenth Century
The Foundation of the United States
The Outbreak of the French Revolution
The Industrial Revolution
George IV., William IV., and Victoria, A.D. 1820-1901.
194
Introduction
Progress of Religious Equality
Removal of the Sacramental Test, 1828
Act for the Removal of Catholic Disabilities, 1829
Admission of Quakers, Moravians, and Separatists to Parliament, &c.
Admission of Jews to Parliament, &c.
Admission of Nonconformists to the Universities, 1871
Abolition of Compulsory Church Rates, 1868
Disestablishment and Disendowment of the Church of Ireland, 1869
Marriages and Burials of Catholics and Nonconformists
Admission of Evidence in Courts of Justice
Parliamentary Reform
Defects and Irregularities in
The Distribution of Scats
The Qualifications for the Franchise
The County Franchise
The Borough Franchise
Results of Anomalies in Representation
Causes which led to the Reform of Parliament
The Reform Act of 1832
Its Provisions
Its Results
Diminution in the Influence of the Crown and the Landed Interest
Differences of Opinion between the House of Commons and the House of Lords
Moderate Temper of the Reformed Parliament
Causes which led to the Reform Act of 1867
The Representation of the People Act of 1867 The Representation of the People Act, 1884
The Redistribution of Seats Act, 1885
Abatement of Bribery at Elections
Undue Influence at Elections
The Ballot Act, 1871
Corruption of Members of Parliament
The House of Commons and Public Opinion
The Organization of Parties
Organization for Particular Political Objects
Further Development of Cabinet Government and Changes in the Executive Departments
The Cabinet and Legislation
Internal Cohesion of the Cabinet
The Executive Departments
The Secretaries of State The First Lord of the Admiralty
The President of the Board of Trade
The President of the Local Government Board
The President of the Board of Education
Other Departments of the Executive
Effect of the increase in the Number of the Departments on the Cabinet
Reform of Local Administration
Its Condition at the beginning of this Period
The Parish
The Corporate Towns
The Counties
The Poor Law Amendment Act, 1834
The Municipal Corporations Act, 1835
The Public Health Acts, 1848-75
The Local Government Acts, 1888 and 1894
Conclusion.
1 (6)
Introduction
Early German Institutions
Classes of Society among the Germans
Political Constitution of the German Tribes
Effects of the Conquest of Britain
Distribution of the Land
Relations of Classes
Introduction of Monarchy
The Conversion of the English
Connection with the Civilised World
Promotion of National Unity
Influence of the Clergy
Consolidation of the Kingdoms of the Angles and Saxons
Originally there were many small Kingdoms
The Bretwaldas
Supremacy of Wessex
Constitution of the Anglo-Saxon Kingdom
7 (8)
Introduction
Local Institutions
The Township
As an Agricultural Community
As a Unit of Administration
As an Ecclesiastical Division
Towns
The Hundred, Ward, or Wapentake
The Shire
National Government
The King: how appointed
Powers of the King
Limitations to the Power of an Anglo
Saxon King
The Witenagemote
Origin of the Witenagemote
Composition of the Witenagemote
Powers of the Witenagemote
Conclusion
From the Beginning of the Supremacy of Wessex to the Norman Conquest, A.D. 829-1066.
15 (7)
Introduction
What is meant by Feudalism
When and where Feudalism grew up
The giving of Benefices
Commendation
Tendency to Feudalism in the Anglo
Saxon Kingdom
The King
The Nobles
Nobility of Birth
Nobility of Service
Nobility of Wealth
The Anglo
Saxon Nobility not completely Feudal
The Freemen
Political Rights
Military Service
Personal Independence
The Church
General Conclusions
The Norman Kings, A.D. 1066-1154.
22 (18)
Introduction
How the Norman Conquest helped Feudalism
How the Conquest hindered Feudalism
The Central Government
Necessity of a Strong Central Government
How the Norman Kings succeeded in establishing a Strong Central Government
The King
The Great Council
The Royal Administration
The Great Offices of State
The Justiciar
The Chancellor
The Treasurer
The Work of the Royal Administration
Norman Finance
Domesday Book
The Lands of the Crown
Feudal Revenue
The Danegelt
The Ferm of the Shire
The proceeds of the Pleas of the Crown
Norman Administration of Justice
The Cusia Regis
The Circuits of the Royal Commissioners
Norman Military System
Local Institutions
The Township
The Hundred
The Shire
The Duties of the Sheriff
Finance
Justice
War
The Towns
Relations between the State and the Church
The Classes of Society
Henry II, and his Sons, A.D. 1154-1216.
40 (18)
Introduction
Accession of Henry II.
Policy of Henry II. with reference to the Nobles
Development of Scutage
Policy of Henry II. with reference to the Church
Contest for Jurisdiction over Criminous Clerks
The Constitutions of Clarendon, 1164
The Policy of Henry II. with reference to the Commons
Policy of Henry II. with reference to Finance
Policy of Henry II. with reference to the Administration of Justice
The Development of the Curia Regis
The Improvement of the System of Circuits
The Development of the Jury System
Policy of Henry II. with reference to the Military System
Result of the Reign of Henry II.
Reign of Richard I.
Reign of John
Effects of the Loss of the French Provinces
Effects of the Conflict with the Church
The Conflict of John with the Barons
The Great Charter, 1215
The Church
The Tenants-in-chief
The Rights of Cities and Towns
Administration of Justice
The Forests
Miscellaneous
Observations upon the Great Charter
Death of John
Henry III. and Edward I., A.D. 1216-1307.
58 (14)
Introduction
The Early Years of Henry III.
Misgovernment of Henry III.
Henry forced to make Concessions
The Provisions of Oxford, 1258
The Provisions of Westminster, 1259
Continued Discontent
Arbitration of the King of France
The Barons' War and De Monttort's Parliament
Accession of Edward I.
Policy of Edward I.
Policy of Edward I. With reference to the Nobles
Policy of Edward I. with reference to the Church
Policy of Edward I. with reference to the Commons
Policy of Edward I. with reference to Finance
Policy of Edward I. with reference to the Administration of Justice
Policy of Edward I. with reference to the Military System
Tentative Parliaments
The Model Parliament of 1295
The Confirmation of the Charters
The Later Plantagenets, A.D. 1307-1485.
72 (20)
Introduction
Characteristics of the Mediæval English Parliament
Estates of the Realm
The Mediæval Parliament a Parliament of Estates
The Mediæval Parliament a Parliament of Local Communities
Definition of a Mediæval Parliament
Constitution of the Three Estates in England
The Estate of the Clergy
The Estate of the Lords Temporal
The Estate of the Commons
Classes not included in the Estate of the Commons
Distribution of Representatives
Who were Qualified to Elect Members of Parliament
Who were Qualified to be Elected as Members of Parliament
Freedom of Election
The Right of Representation little Valued
A Seat in Parliament little Valued
Duration of Parliaments
Growth of the Power of Parliament
Control of Taxation by Parliament
The Share of Parliament in Legislation
The Responsibility of Ministers to Parliament
Position of the Crown in this Period
Position of the Church in this Period
Position of the Nobles in this Period
Position of the Commons in this Period
The Peasant Revolt and the Extinction of Villeinage
Growing Inequality of Conditions
The Tudors, A.D. 1485-1603.
92 (21)
Introduction
Relations of the Tudors with their Parliaments
Control of Parliament over Taxation in the Tudor Period
Control of Parliament over Legislation in the Tudor Period
Responsibility of Ministers to Parliament in the Tudor Period
The Executive Government in the Tudor Period
The Privy Council as a Court of Justice
Why the Privy Council was so convenient as a Court of Justice
Local Administration
The County
The Parish
The Towns
Church Government
Measures taken by Henry VIII. to Enforce the Royal Supremacy
Further Reformation by Edward VI.
Reaction under Mary
Measures taken by Elizabeth to Complete the Reformation
Act of Supremacy, 1559
Act of Uniformity, 1559
Rise of the Puritans
The Court of High Commission
Close of the Tudor Period The Nobles
The Clergy
The Commons
James I., Charles I., and the Commonwealth, A. D. 1603-1660.
113 (22)
Introduction
Character and Reign of James
Constitutional Progress during the Reign of James
Taxation
Legislation
Responsibility of Ministers
The Administration of Justice The Church
Character and Early Years of Charles I.
The Absolute Government of Charles I., 1629-40
Taxation
Ship-money
Other Financial Expedients
Distraint of Knighthood
Enlargement of the Forests
Sale of Monopolies
Exorbitant Fines
Administration of Justice
Religion
The Scotch Rebellion and the Short Parliament
The Lone Parliament
Period of Unanimity in Reform
Period of Division ending in the Civil War
Political Differences
Religious Differences
The Long Parliament at War with the King
The Army and the Rump
The Rule of Oliver Cromwell
The Little Parliament
The Instrument of Government
The Parliaments of the Protectorate The Restoration
Charles II.-James II.-The Revolution and William III., A.D. 1660-1702.
135 (22)
Introduction
The Convention Parliament
Abolition of Military Tenures
The High Church Reaction
The Act of Uniformity, 1661
The Corporation Act, 1661
The Conventicle Act, 1664
The Five
Mile Act, 1665
The Royalist Reaction
Decline of Royalist Feeling
The Cabal and the Declaration of Indulgence
The Test Act of 1673
Impeachment of Danby
The Popish Plot
The Parliamentary Test, 1678
Whig and Tory
The Exclusion Bill
The Habeas Corpus Act, 1679
The Exclusion Bill brought in again
Reaction in the Country
Forfeiture of the Charters
Accession of James II.
The king Attacks the Church of England
The Declaration of Indulgence
The Revolution of 1688
The Declaration of Fights and the Bill of Rights
Importance of the Bill of Rights
Appropriation of Supplies
The Mutiny Act
The Toleration
Act, 1689
Liberty of the Press
The Triennial Act
Reform of the Procedure in Trials for High Treason
The Act of Settlement, 1701
The Sovereign to be a Member of the Church of England
Attempt to Revive the Privy Council
Exclusion of Placemen and Pensioners from the House of Commons
Independence of the Judges
Conclusion
Personal Influence of William III.
Anne, George I., and George II., A.D. 1702-1760.
157 (17)
Introduction
Reign of Anne
The Parliamentary Union of England with Scotland
Unsuccessful Attempts towards Union
The Act of Union, 1707
The High Church Reaction
Accession of the House of Hanover
The Whig Ascendency
Whig Legislation
The Septennial Act
The Peerage Bill
Development of the Cabinet
Party Government
The Two Forms of the Cabinet
The Early Form of the Cabinet
Unpopularity of the Cabinet in its Original Form
Growing Frequency of Cabinet Councils
The Later Form of the Cabinet
The Prime Minister
The Prime Minister as Controlling the Executive
The Prime Minister as the Organ of Communication between the Cabinet and the Sovereign
The Prime Minister as the Organ of Communication between the Cabinet and the Parliament
Relation of the Prime Minister to the Individual Members of his Cabinet
Deliberations of the Cabinet
The Working of the Cabinet System
Ministerial Responsibility under the Cabinet System
Final Prevalence of the Cabinet System
Reaction against the Cabinet System
Changes in the Great Offices of State
George III., A.D. 1760-1820.
174 (20)
Introduction
Accession of George III.
Fall of the Whigs
The King's Friends
The Cabinet System Attacked
The House of Commons and the Influence of the Crown
The Cabinet System still New
Indifference of the Mass of the People
Parliamentary Corruption
State of Parliamentary Representation
Case of John Wilkes
Publication of Parliamentary Debates
Fox's Libel Act, 1792
The American War
Renewed Conflicts of the King with his Ministers
The King in Conflict with the House of Commons
The King's Influence in the Latter Part of his Reign
Growing Demands for Parliamentary Reform
Progress of Religious Liberty
The Parliamentary Union of Great Britain and Ireland
Development of Democratic Ideas
The Influence of the Great French Writers of the Eighteenth Century
The Foundation of the United States
The Outbreak of the French Revolution
The Industrial Revolution
George IV., William IV., and Victoria, A.D. 1820-1901.
194
Introduction
Progress of Religious Equality
Removal of the Sacramental Test, 1828
Act for the Removal of Catholic Disabilities, 1829
Admission of Quakers, Moravians, and Separatists to Parliament, &c.
Admission of Jews to Parliament, &c.
Admission of Nonconformists to the Universities, 1871
Abolition of Compulsory Church Rates, 1868
Disestablishment and Disendowment of the Church of Ireland, 1869
Marriages and Burials of Catholics and Nonconformists
Admission of Evidence in Courts of Justice
Parliamentary Reform
Defects and Irregularities in
The Distribution of Scats
The Qualifications for the Franchise
The County Franchise
The Borough Franchise
Results of Anomalies in Representation
Causes which led to the Reform of Parliament
The Reform Act of 1832
Its Provisions
Its Results
Diminution in the Influence of the Crown and the Landed Interest
Differences of Opinion between the House of Commons and the House of Lords
Moderate Temper of the Reformed Parliament
Causes which led to the Reform Act of 1867
The Representation of the People Act of 1867 The Representation of the People Act, 1884
The Redistribution of Seats Act, 1885
Abatement of Bribery at Elections
Undue Influence at Elections
The Ballot Act, 1871
Corruption of Members of Parliament
The House of Commons and Public Opinion
The Organization of Parties
Organization for Particular Political Objects
Further Development of Cabinet Government and Changes in the Executive Departments
The Cabinet and Legislation
Internal Cohesion of the Cabinet
The Executive Departments
The Secretaries of State The First Lord of the Admiralty
The President of the Board of Trade
The President of the Local Government Board
The President of the Board of Education
Other Departments of the Executive
Effect of the increase in the Number of the Departments on the Cabinet
Reform of Local Administration
Its Condition at the beginning of this Period
The Parish
The Corporate Towns
The Counties
The Poor Law Amendment Act, 1834
The Municipal Corporations Act, 1835
The Public Health Acts, 1848-75
The Local Government Acts, 1888 and 1894
Conclusion.