The History of Parliament

In 1066 the Battle of

Hastings took place, Britain was invaded and King Harold was shot in the eye with an arrow

When he came to power in 1066, William the Conqueror was hugely powerful. He owned all the land, and all the barons swore obedience to him as their liege lord.

1066

1. What do you think life was like during the

start of the middle ages? How do you think people lived?

2. Complete the first box on your timeline

Questions

The barons rebelled and in 1215 the Barons

forced King John to agree to Magna Carta.

This was not – as was claimed in the 1600s – just a declaration of people's rights. It was just a peace treaty by which the barons tried to force the king to do as they wanted. Nevertheless, the right not to be imprisoned without a trial dates back to Magna Carta.

1215

1. Explain the terms “rebelled” and

“declaration”

2. Complete the second box on your timeline

3. Do you agree that people should not be imprisoned without trial? Explain your points with examples

Questions

First royal reference to a

‘parliament’ of the nobles under Henry III, who needs to ask his subjects for taxes on a regular basis

He regularly clashes with the barons when he calls them to a council, or parliament.

1236

1. What is meant by “Tax”?

2. Do you think people should pay tax?

3. What do you think taxes should be spent on?

4. Draw a pie chart of your tax expenditures

Questions

Simon de Montfort

rebels against Henry III, captures him, and calls a parliament which includes knights and citizens from every shire and town: the first meeting of a parliament which includes the ‘commons’ as well as the lords.

1265

1. Watch video link on Simon De Montfort

VIDEO https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBnkTpxnNH4

2. Complete the third box on your timeline

3. Why do you think it is important that everyday people “common” get a chance to speak in parliament?

Questions

Commoners, as well as lords, had the right to

attend Parliament. Parliament had the right to debate whatever it

wanted, and to tell the king its demands. Parliament controlled taxes. No law could become law without Parliament's

agreement. England was ruled by "the king and

Parliament".

By 1500s

1. Explain your opinion on the rights that

parliament had developed – do you agree with them?

Complete the fourth box on your timeline

Questions

Guy Fawkes plans to blow up parliament –

House of Lords and King James I. They were unhappy with the way Catholics Christians were being treated

More information can be found along with video clips on this website

http://www.parliament.uk/education/about-your-parliament/history-of-parliament/guy-fawkes/

1605

1. Write a short summary of the gun powder

plot –

- who was involved - why they wanted to blow up parliament - how they were caught

2. Complete the fifth box on the timeline sheet

Questions

Charles is the new

King – he refuses to recognise parliament and rules without them

This causes the civil war – with Oliver Cromwell and the execution of Charles in 1649

1628

1. What is meant by a Civil War?

2. Can you think of examples of other countries that have da / are having a civil war?

3. Complete the Sixth box on the timeline

4. Do you think that people should have the right to protest and rebel against the rulers of a country?

Questions

By the 1900s the country was a constitutional

monarchy – where the King is the Head of state but all law making is made by parliament

However there were many problems and women did not have the right to vote until……

The Suffragettes

Information

1900s

1. Why do you think that women did not have

the right to vote? 2. Write a short summary on the history of the

suffragettes – a video clip may help http://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=gw4L6UJIJ7Q

3. Why do you think all people should be treated equally?

4. Complete box seven on the timeline

Questions

In 1953 the government signed up to the

European Court of Human Rights.

In 1969 the voting age was lowered to 18.

In 1973, Britain joined the European Community, by which it is subject to European Union laws and the Social Charter, which is a code of workers' rights

1921 -> Present day

1. What rights do you think people should

have?

2. What age do you think that people should be able to vote? Explain why

3. Do you agree that Britain is part of the European Union? Can you think of arguments for / against

4. Complete the last box on your timeline

Questions