at large, 5th Richard II.cap.

iv.
The union, however, of the representatives from the boroughs gave gradually more weight to the whole order; and it became customary for them, in return for the supplies which they granted, to prefer petitions to the crown for the redress of any particular grievance, of which they found reason to complain.

The more the king's demands multiplied, the faster these petitions increased both in number and authority; and the prince found it difficult to refuse men whose grants had supported his throne, and to whose assistance he might so soon be again obliged to have recourse.

The commons, however, were still much below the rank of legislators.[*] [4] Their petitions, though they received a verbal assent from the throne, were only the rudiments of laws: the judges were afterwards intrusted with the power of putting them into form.

and the king, by adding to them the sanction of his authority, and that sometimes without the assent of the nobles, bestowed validity upon them.