Posted on 01/20/2015 1:34:10 AM PST by moose07
In June the world will celebrate 800 years since the issuing of Magna Carta. But 2015 is also the anniversary of another important, and far more radical, British milestone in democratic history, writes Luke Foddy.
Almost exactly 750 years ago, an extraordinary parliament opened in Westminster.
For the very first time, elected representatives from every county and major town in England were invited to parliament on behalf of their local communities.
It was, in the words of one historian, "the House of Commons in embryo".
The January Parliament, which first met on 20 January 1265, is one of the most significant events in British democratic history. The election of two knights from every shire and two burgesses from the towns helped establish the two-member county constituencies that endured until the 20th Century.
The delegates coming to parliament in 1265 even had their costs covered - a sort of 13th-Century MPs' expenses.
But for all its importance, the January Parliament remains little-known beyond academic circles, although the BBC will be marking the anniversary with a day of coverage focusing on democracy.
In part, this may be down to the eclipsing effect of Magna Carta on this remarkable step towards representative government.
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.co.uk ...
Thanks for the Additional info.
It is such an important part of our shared history that you won’t be suprised to know that very few people ,here, are even aware of these events.
History is littered with Forgotten heros.
Strange isn’t it how a gift that precious is never appreciated unless you’ve done the butt kicking yourself in order to achieve it.
The Same with Israel, Those “Palestinians” Must be some real twits to reject the gift they where given there.
Unfortunately, given the state of history education these days, most people only know the Braveheart story about him.
Edward I Documentary - Biography of the life of Edward Longshanks King of England
What was the Battle of Lewes (May 1264) | Bill Thisdell | Sussex Past
While not nearly as exciting, this story does match with the fact that Edwards entire body was never boiled or dismembered, and instead interred at Westminster Abbey. There, it remained undisturbed until 1774 when the dean and a group of history enthusiasts opened the tomb and examined the body. It was remarkably complete. The poet and artist William Blake even made a sketch. Edward I in his tomb, 1774. Sketch by William Blake
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