Many years after his return to England, Edward convened a Parliament,
1295, to which representatives of all classes of freemen were
summoned, and from this time they regularly met (S213). Parliament
henceforth consisted of two Houses.[1] This first included the Lords
and Clergy. The second comprised the Commons (or representation of
the common people). It thus became "a complete image of the nation,"
"assembled for the purposes of taxation, legislation, and united
political action."[2] This body declared that all previous laws
should be impartially executed, and that there should be no
interference with elections.[2] By this action King Edward showed
that he had the wisdom to adopt and perfect the example his father's
conqueror had left him (S213). Thus it will be seen that though Earl
Simon the Righteous (SS212, 213, 214) was dead, his reform went on.
It was an illustration of the truth that while "God buries his
workers, he carries on his work."
[1] But during that period of the Commonwealth and Protectorate
(1648-1660) the House of Lords did not meet (S450)
[2] Stubb's "Early Plantagenets" (Edward I). See also the Summary of
Constitutional History in the Appendix, p. xi, S12.
[3] The First Statute of Westminster.