 The document containing the Ordinances is dated 5 October , and contains forty @-@ one articles . In the preamble , the Ordainers voiced their concern over what they perceived as the evil councilors of the king , the precariousness of the military situation abroad , and the danger of rebellion at home over the oppressive prises . The articles can be divided into different groups , the largest of which deals with limitations on the powers of the king and his officials , and the substitution of these powers with baronial control . It was ordained that the king should appoint his officers only " by the counsel and assent of the baronage , and that in parliament . " Furthermore , the king could no longer go to war without the consent of the baronage , nor could he make reforms of the coinage . Additionally , it was decided that parliament should be held at least once a year . Parallel to these decisions were reforms of the royal finances . The Ordinances banned what was seen as extortionate prises and customs , and at the same time declared that revenues were to be paid directly into the exchequer . This was a reaction to the rising trend of receiving revenues directly into the royal household ; making all royal finances accountable to the exchequer allowed greater public scrutiny . 
