Parker’s rents, Whitecross street, Cripplegate.†
Parker’s Lane School, situated in Parker’s lane, Drury lane, was founded about the year 1663, by Mr. William Skelton of St. Giles’s in the Fields, for the education of fifty poor boys, thirty-five of whom to be of the parish of St. Giles in the Fields, ten of that of St. Martin in the Fields, and five of St. Paul’s Covent Garden. The Master has a salary of 20l. two chaldrons of coals, and a gown every year, for teaching the children reading, writing, and arithmetic, each of whom has a coat of 6s. price every year; and the surplus arising from the estate is employed in putting them out apprentices. Maitland.
Parliament. This great council, which is the highest and most ancient court of the kingdom, was indifferently denominated by the Saxons, Michel Gemote, and Witen Gemote, that is, the great court and council of wise men. Coke’s Institutes.
The first mention we find of this court, is on its being held in this city by Egbert and Withlaf, Kings of Wessex, and Mercia, in the year 833, for deliberating on ways and means to oppose the piratical invasions, and destructive depredations of the Danes. Spelman’s Concilia.
This great council, which was held twice a year before the conquest, consists of the King, the Lords spiritual and temporal, and the Commons: the Lords spiritual, consisting of the two Archbishops, and twenty-four Bishops, sit by virtue of their respective baronies, which they hold in a political capacity: the Lords temporal, who are created by the King’s patent, and therefore cannot be reduced to any certain number, sit by descent, or creation: and the Commons, who amount to 558, consist of Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses, the representatives of the commonalty of Great Britain; who, by virtue of the King’s writs, are elected by the several counties, cities, and boroughs.
The power of parliament is so great and extensive, that it makes, amends, reduces, revives, and abrogates laws, statutes, and ordinances, concerning matters ecclesiastical, civil, and military. None can begin, continue, or dissolve this council, but by the King’s authority.
All the members of parliament sat together till the fiftieth of Edward III. in the year 1377, when the Commons removed to the Chapter-house of Westminster, in the cloister of the Abbey.
For the distinct privileges, and the manner of proceeding in the houses of Lords and Commons, see the articles Lords, and Commons.
Parliament alley, Artillery lane.
Parliament stairs, Old Palace yard.☐