Subject of the course: the history of the origin and establishment of representative government in Europe.
Different aspects under which history is considered at various epochs.
Poetic history; philosophic history; political history.
Disposition of our time to consider history under these various aspects.
Fundamental principle and essential characteristics of representative government.
Existence of this principle and these characteristics in England at all times.
Lecture II.—Page [270]
Sketch of the History of England, from William the Conqueror to John Lackland (1066-1199).
William the Conqueror (1066-1087).
William Rufus (1087-1100).
Henry I. (1100-1135).
Stephen (1135-1154).
Henry II. (1154-1189).
Constitutions of Clarendon.
Richard Cœur de Lion (1189-1199).
Lecture III.—Page [281]
Anglo-Saxon institutions.
Effects of the Norman Conquest upon Anglo-Saxon institutions.
Effects of the Conquest upon Norman institutions.
Causes which made the Norman Conquest favourable to the establishment of a system of free institutions in England.
Lecture IV.—Page [288]
The English Parliament in the earliest times of the Anglo-Norman Monarchy.
Different names given to the King's Great Council.
Its characteristics.
Its constitution.
Opinions of Whigs and Tories on this subject.
Lecture V.—Page [295]
The Anglo-Norman royalty: its wealth and power.
Comparison of the relative forces of the Crown and of the feudal aristocracy.
Progress of the royal power.
Spirit of association and resistance among the great barons.
Commencement of the struggle between these two political forces.