The consequence was that a peer accused of high treason during a recess was tried by a jury which his prosecutors had packed.
The Lords now demanded that, during a recess as well as during a session, every peer accused of high treason should be tried by the whole body of the peerage.
The demand was resisted by the House of Commons with a vehemence and obstinacy which men of the present generation may find it difficult to understand.

The truth is that some invidious privileges of peerage which have since been abolished, and others which have since fallen into entire desuetude, were then in full force, and were daily used.
No gentleman who had had a dispute with a nobleman could think, without indignation, of the advantages enjoyed by the favoured caste.

If His Lordship were sued at law, his privilege enabled him to impede the course of justice.

If a rude word were spoken of him, such a word as he might himself utter with perfect impunity, he might vindicate his insulted dignity both by civil and criminal proceedings.

If a barrister, in the discharge of his duty to a client, spoke with severity of the conduct of a noble seducer, if an honest squire on the racecourse applied the proper epithets to the tricks of a noble swindler, the affronted patrician had only to complain to the proud and powerful body of which he was a member.