The prehistory of parliaments
Michel Hébert
It is generally recognized that institutionalized parliaments, as iconic figures of modern European political history and cradles early democratic experiences, are historically rooted in medieval assembly practices, although major differences must be stressed if one to avoid the teleological bias has characterized many late nineteenth- twentieth-century studies. Scholars throughout Europe, inspired by national revolutions liberal ideologies, have searched through their local histories for earliest landmarks any kind antecedent parliamentary assemblies then making. Such imaginative thinking followed Montesquieu’s admirative comment on English parliament, a brilliant achievement whose origins found ‘deep woods’, with reference Tacitus’ celebrated description ancient Germanic practices (Montesquieu [1748] 2008, p. 256). Not surprisingly, French historians traced Estates General back Carolingian Marchfields, those great gatherings noblemen around king, prior annual military campaigns and, scholars, Saxon witan, Norman conquest, epitomised venerable antiquity ‘mother all parliaments’ (Reuter 2001; Barnwell Mostert 2003, pp. 1–17; Maddicott 2010, 1–56). Undoubtedly, important characteristics later parliaments these they further developed during (mid-thirteenth late-fifteenth centuries) era institutionalization generalization. However, point here twofold. First foremost, whatever development, contrary counterparts, not ideas do implement, elections voting some forerunning procedures, ultimate purpose an empowerment whole body exercise form popular sovereignty. Second, whereas undoubtedly constitute original representation, this concept should considered its meaning, whereby elected agents fully entitled make decisions both behalf of, independently from, principal (Pitkin 1967, 209–40; Nederman 2009; Thompson 2015). Here again, similarities underlined, developing proctorial agency law, without however being open misinterpretation actual meaning such historical context.
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