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Simple English definitions for legal terms
Long Parliament
Read a random definition: Twelve Tables
A quick definition of Long Parliament:
The Long Parliament was a group of people who met in England during the reign of King Charles I from 1640 to 1653. They were responsible for making important decisions about the country, but were eventually dissolved by Oliver Cromwell. The Parliament was later brought back and dissolved again in 1660. Another Parliament, known as the Long Parliament of Charles II, met between 1661 and 1678 after the monarchy was restored.
A more thorough explanation:
The Long Parliament was the English Parliament that met for an extended period of time between 1640 and 1653 during the reign of Charles I. It was dissolved by Oliver Cromwell in 1653, but later recalled and finally dissolved in 1660.
After the restoration of the monarchy, the English Parliament met again between 1661 and 1678. This Parliament is sometimes referred to as the "Long Parliament of Charles II" to distinguish it from the earlier one.
For example, the Long Parliament of Charles I was called to address the king's financial problems, but it soon became a forum for grievances against the king's policies. The Parliament passed important legislation, including the Triennial Act, which required the king to summon Parliament at least once every three years.
The Long Parliament of Charles II, on the other hand, was marked by conflicts between the king and Parliament over issues such as religious toleration and the power of the monarchy. It also passed important legislation, including the Habeas Corpus Act, which protected individuals from arbitrary arrest and imprisonment.