[1] The maner of the parlement in England.The maner of their consulting heere in England in their said assemblies of parle|ment is on this wise. Whereas they haue to intreat of matters touching the com|moditie both of the prince and of the peo|ple, that euerie man may haue free libertie to vtter what he thinketh, they are ap|pointed to sit in seuerall chambers, the king, the bishops, and lords of the realme sit in one chamber to conferre togither by themselues; and the commoners called knights for the shires, citizens of cities, and burgesses of good townes in another. These choose some wise, eloquent, and lear|ned man to be their prolocutor or speaker (as they terme him) who propoundeth those things vnto them that are to be tal|ked of, and asketh euerie mans opinion concerning the conclusion thereof. In like sort, when any thing is agreed vpon, and decreed by them in this place (which they call the lower house in respect of their e|state) he declareth it againe to the lords that sit in the other chamber called the higher house, demanding likewise their iudgements touching the same. For no|thing is ratified there, except it be agreed vpon by the consent of the more part of both those houses. Now when they haue said their minds, and yeelded their confir|mation therevnto, the finall ratification is referred to the prince; so that if he thinke good that it shall passe for a law, he confir|meth also by the mouth of the lord Chan|celor of the realme, who is prolocutor to the lords alwaies by the custome of that house.