The Origin and Growth of the English Constitution - An Historical Treatise the Gradual Development of the English Constitutional System, and the Growth Out of That System of the Federal Republic of the United States #265034

Summary of the Contents of Vol. I: Old-English Commonwealth; Norman Conquest; process of fusion; struggle for the charters; treaty of Runnymede; growth of the law courts and the parliament; The rule or supremacy of law and the sovereignty of parliament the dominant principles of the English constitution; When parliamentary sovereignty reached its full growth; Exclusive right of parliament to authorize taxation; Old-English taxes supplemented by the new feudal taxes; hidage and scutage - the great land-taxes - gradually superseded by taxes upon personal property; fifteenths and tenths; memorable composition of 1334; unsuccessful attempt to levy poll taxes; right of tax-payer to assent to taxation; its connection with the growth of national assemblies; separate negotiation with each estate as to taxation; tax-payer's right dimly recognized during Norman period; conflict with the baronage results in articles 12 and 14 of the Great Charter, and finally in Confirmatio Cartarum; separate negotiations with clergy and commons; fiscal visits of justices from the exchequer; election and representation in the shire courts; representation in the national council a fiscal expedient; first the shires, then the towns represented; Earl Simon's parliament of 1265; Edward I.'s model parliament of 1295; right of nation to tax itself settled by Confirmatio Cartarum; transitions from local to central assent; and from feudal to national taxation; the customs revenue; its probable origin; article 41 of the Great Charter; great and ancient custom of 1275; new or small custom of 1302; origin of tonnage and poundage; summary; after 1322 the customs a part of the permanent revenue; additional subsidies; custom and subsidy levied regularly after 23d of Edward III.; subsidies granted for life to Richard II., Henry V., and Henry VI; Collapse of the immature parliamentary system; emancipation of the monarchy by Edward IV.; overthrow of parliamentary institutions on the Continent; character of the struggle in England; outline of the policy of Edward IV.; the royal authority becomes the dominant force in the state; its vital organ the council; hereditary right; Edward's financial policy; infrequent meetings of parliament; the council becomes an engine of tyranny