In time the order became very powerful.
The Templars in Fleet-street, in the thirteenth century, frequently entertained the King, the Pope's nuncio, foreign ambassadors, and other great personages.
"It is now divided into two societies of students, called the Inner and Middle Temple, and having the name of Inns of Court.
"These societies consist of Benchers, Barristers, Students, and Members.
The government is vested in the Benchers.

In term time they dine in the hall of the society, which is called keeping commons.

To dine a fortnight in each term, is deemed keeping the term; and twelve of these terms qualify a student to be called to year of Henry the Sixth, when Sir Walter Beauchamp, as counsel, supported the claim of precedence of the Earl of Warwick, against the then Earl Marshal, at the bar of the House of Lords.

Mr.Roger Hunt appeared in the same capacity for the Earl Marshal, and both advocates, in their exordium, made most humble protestations, entreating the lord against whom they were retained, not to take amiss what they should advance on the part of their own client.
Another point on which the lawyers of the present age differ from their ancestors, is in their prolixity.

It was reserved for modern invention to make a trial for high treason last eight days, or to extend a speech to nine hours duration.
1 Abbot's Park--The King's Bench.
2 On board the Fleet--The Fleet Prison.
~248~~"These societies have the following officers and servants: a treasurer, sub-treasurer, steward, chief butler, three under-butlers, upper and under cook, a pannierman, a gardener, two porters, two wash-pots, and watchmen.
"The Benchers assume and exercise a power that can scarcely be reconciled to the reason of the thing.