Parliament

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  • 1213

    1215

    Signing of the Magna Carta Limited the power of the monarch and established the principle that the king was subject to the law
  • 1236

    1236

    First use of the word "Parliament" in England
    Derived from the French parler (to speak), it described a formal council of advisors to the king
  • 1295

    1295

    Model Parliament convened by Edward I
    Included knights, burgesses, clergy, and nobles—seen as a prototype of modern parliamentary representation
  • 1332

    1327-1332

    Emergence of the House of Commons
    Representatives of the people began sitting permanently, forming a distinct chamber alongside the Lords
  • 1642-1651

    English Civil War
    Conflict over royal authority vs. parliamentary power; led to temporary abolition of