Important Petitions.
A first Parliament was convoked in the month of September, 1377. Peter de la Mare, formerly the leader of the opposition, was liberated from prison, and chosen speaker of the House of Commons. Three lords selected by the Commons were appointed to confer with them regarding the public necessities. Three propositions were submitted by the Commons to the king and lords:
1. the formation of a council of government;
2. the appointment of "men of virtuous and honest conversation" to guard the person and conduct the education of the king, and to take care "that the charge of the king's household should be borne by the revenues of the crown, so that what was granted to the wars might be expended that way only;"
3. the strict observance of the common law and statutes of the realm, "that they might not be defeated by the singularity of any about the king." [Footnote 51]
[Footnote 51: Parliamentary History, vol. i. p. 160. ]
The Lords granted the first proposition, rejected the first part of the second as too harsh and interfering too much with the liberty of the royal person, promised to deliberate upon the second part with the great officers of the king's household, and gave their unhesitating assent to the third proposition.
The second of these propositions contains the germ of the distinction between the civil list and taxes voted for the public expenditure. A subsidy was voted by the Commons, after the establishment of the administration. It was agreed that moneys thus raised should be lodged in the keeping of special treasurers, who should give an account of their receipts and disbursements, in such manner as the king and council should order. Two London merchants, William Walworth and John Philpot, were appointed to this office by the king.
Several other petitions were presented by this Parliament.
1. That the evil councillors of the late king Edward might be removed from the royal councils;—which was granted.
2. That, during the king's minority, all the ministers and other great functionaries of State, might be appointed by Parliament; and that if an office fell vacant, while Parliament was not sitting, it should be filled up by the king's council, subject to the approval of the next Parliament;—which was granted in the case of the greater officers, but refused in respect to those of less importance.
3. That Parliament should be holden once a year;—in reply to which it was promised that "the statutes made for that purpose shall be observed and kept." [Footnote 52]
[Footnote 52: Ibid. vol. i. pp. 161, 162.]