But to keen observers of the time the pre-eminent characteristic of Lancastrian rule appeared to be its "lack of governance" or, in modern phrase, administrative anarchy.[68] There was no subordination in the State.

The weakness of the Lancastrian title left the king at the mercy of Parliament, and the limitations of Parliament were never (p.

033) more apparent than when its powers stood highest.

Even in the realm of legislation, the statute book has seldom been so barren.

Its principal acts were to narrow the county electorate to an oligarchy, to restrict the choice of constituencies to resident knights and burgesses, and to impair its own influence as a focus of public opinion.