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CHAP. XVI.

CONCLUDING REMARKS.

291

CHAPTER XVI.

CONCLUDING REMARKS.

istics of the

THE reign of the King whose history has been related Characterin these pages may, not unaptly, be considered to reign. represent, in the political life of the English nation, that period in the life of man when he first arrives at manhood, begins to feel his strength, and dares to use it. Since the reign of King John and his unsuccessful struggle with the Barons, the people, by that continued opposition to attempted irresponsible power which culminated in the establishment of a representative system of Government, had been forging constitutional weapons for future use, and slowly learning their possible application. But it was not until this reign that they availed themselves of this knowledge, and turned it to practical account.

of Parlia

power.

It was then that Parliament first dared to exercise Increase its lawful power of opposing Government, and, by mentary asserting and enforcing its right so to do, compelled the King to desist from illegal tyranny. But it went still further, and called his advisers and officers to account. Representative government had existed for nearly seventy years, but when Edward came to the throne Parliament was unconscious of what it could accomplish. Mortimer and the Queen were ruling England without a shadow of legal right, and, indeed,

Contrast between

ning and

end of the reign.

in direct opposition to the decision of the legislature. Guardians of the young King had been appointed by the begin- Parliament to govern the kingdom, and although he was not one of them, Mortimer had usurped all power in the State. His measures often disgusted the whole nation, but yet Parliament dared not raise its voice against him. So far indeed was it from so doing, that many of the nobles, when summoned to attend, instead of all assembling together in full conclave to charge Mortimer with his crimes, absented themselves from its meetings, and the Commons were so totally inert as to be almost unmentioned in the history of the period. It was the young King's own determination and courage, backed up by that of such of the nobles as were ready to follow when a leader came, that enabled him to free himself from the shackles that bound both him and his people.

What was the action of the nation, as represented by Parliament, under analogous circumstances, at the end of the reign? Excessive and illegal taxation, misappropriation of revenue, oppressive practices which had ruined the navy, interference with the administration of justice, and other like grievances, were then being endured by the people. John of Gaunt, availing himself of the King's senile imbecility and sensual weakness, had usurped the functions of government, much as Mortimer had done in the beginning of the reign, and had thrust his own subservient creatures into many of the great offices of State. No sooner did Parliament meet than it began a struggle with the Government which almost exactly prefigured those of the present day. It chose a speaker in direct opposition to the noble, who, if terms may be used which were not then literally applicable, might be

CHAP. XVI.

CONCLUDING REMARKS.

293

called the Prime Minister. Not content with thus entering into a direct conflict with this powerful noble, Parliament, and now chiefly the Commons, then proceeded to impeach the ministers, and succeeded in bringing about their condemnation.

Prince in

The part taken by the Black Prince at this conjunc- The Black ture is very remarkable. remarkable. With characteristic courage Parliaand spirit he roused himself from a bed of sickness ment. to lead the opposition. It was the bright dying flame of the expiring lamp of life which shot up for a moment and then was quenched. The impulse under. which he acted must have been deep and powerful.. Was it a clear though late insight into the wisdom of rulers governing justly? or, a mistrust of his brother's motives? In either case he thereby gave a great impulse to the growing power of Parliament.: His death was a serious blow to the nation's welfare, for, no sooner had it occurred, than the legislature, by a retrograde course, reversed all that it had previously done. Had he lived, he might, in all probability, have averted the evils arising from popular violence which soon followed the death of his father.

of John of

The conduct of John of Gaunt is somewhat difficult Character to understand. On the one hand, as a supporter of Gaunt. Wyclif and his new and bold theological doctrines, he must be considered an earnest and sincere Reformer; and, as the friend and patron of Chaucer, a man of cultivated and enlightened understanding. On the other, as the defender of the King's corrupt ministers, and the opponent of Parliamentary government, he showed the spirit of a selfish tyrant. The total re-. versal of policy, which, after the death of the Black. Prince, he was enabled to effect, and the pardon of the

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