Archeion, or, A discourse vpon the high courts of iustice in England. Composed by William Lambard, of Lincolnes Inne, Gent

The Parliament.

BVt now the Ecclesiasticall Courts being numbred, and these mee•• Lay-Courts thus handled, it resteth, that I adjoyn the Parliament, which is mixed of both these natures, as having the Bishops in respect of their Baronies, and not of their Churches, joyned with the Lay-Lords to make up the second estate there∣of. The first estate consisting of the Prince alone, and the third of the Comminaltie, without any of the Clergie at all.

Besides the which, it is summo∣ned to devise Lawes, both Ecclesia∣sticall, Civill, Criminall, and Martiall, it ministreth the matter whereupon all the rest of the Courts do worke, and it hath in some cases, an ordi∣narie Iurisdiction also.

That which wee (now agreeing

with the Scots) doe name a Parlia∣ment, the Frenchmen doe call Les Estates, or Assembly des Estates, be∣cause with them there, as with us also, the Estates of the Land doe meete thereat, to consult; and the same in Germany, is termed a Dyet, for these other Courts that carry the name of Parliament in France, be but ordinarie Courts of Iustice, which as Paulus Iovius writeth, are thought to have bin planted there by us. And of which our owne Councells (established in Wales, and in the North-parts) doe beare the neerest shew, and resemblance.