I believe no statute at all, as far as we know, was passed in the reign of Richard I., and all the ante-Tudor acts together would look meagre enough to a modern Parliamentary agent who had to live by them.
Bagehot notes the scarcity of statutes during Richard I's reign, highlighting the historical context of parliamentary law.
Share
More from Walter Bagehot
But, above all things, they were frightened of 'the world;' the spectacle of nature filled them with awe and dread.
They say, We reject your Bill for this once or these twice, or even these thrice: but if you keep on sending it up, at last we won't reject it.
One of the greatest pains to human nature is the pain of a new idea.
No doubt this momentary gain is bought at a ruinous after-cost.
Other voices in this conversation
