During its progress the Houses had become mere gatherings of nobles with their retainers and partizans.

They were like armed camps to which the great lords came with small armies at their backs.

When arms were prohibited the retainers of the warring barons appeared, as in the Club Parliament of 1426, with clubs on their shoulders.

When clubs were forbidden they hid stones and balls of lead in their clothes.

Amidst scenes such as these the faith in and reverence for Parliaments could hardly fail to die away.