First published in 1925, as the English translation of a 1914 French original, this book presents a detailed discussion regarding the medieval beginnings of the House of Commons. The text shows how 'during the thirteenth century there arose the practice of summoning to parliament not only the bishops, abbots, earls and barons, but also those representatives of the communities of the shires and of the communities of the towns, whose meetings in the fourteenth century formed the House of Commons'. Detailed notes are included throughout. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in the development of the British political system and medieval history.