Private Petitions in the Fifteenth Century

Abstract

This chapter takes the discussion of private petitions up to the end of the late medieval period. It focuses on two key developments that fundamentally changed the nature of private business in the 15th-century parliament. Section i considers (and explains) why private petitions began to be reincorporated onto the parliament roll. The discussion leads to a consideration of the emerging role of the Lords as arbiters and judges in many cases brought to parliament. Section ii examines why petitioners, from the late 14th century chose to send their petitions to the Commons in the hope that MPs would intercede on their behalf, and secure a favourable outcome to their complaint.