Chapter 241: House Of Lords II

There were 5 main purposes for the meetings in the house of lords. 

First and foremost were for approving new bills, such as public policy recommended by the ministries.

Second, for approving the recommended appropriation of national budget. 

Third, for when there's trial against a member of the peerage. 

Fourth, for in-depth consideration of public policy by the ministries.

Last, to crosscheck the activities of the ministries and the landed peers. 

With all these identified, sessions have a fixed schedule. Every year, it would start in Mid- June and then end in October. It would be held once or twice a week. Then, on need basis, there could also be some intersessions in between.

Given the duties of the landed peers and the travel time to the capital, frequently, the landed peers, especially those from far areas, were allowed to send representatives to attend the meetings when no voting was required. That was except for, the first meeting of the year in summer, and unless, of course, if the King demands their presence.

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Monday morning of June 18th was the first session of the house of lords that year. Geoffrey could see from the window of his chambers that the palace grounds were gradually being filled by its members.

They were all wearing robes, all of which were worn on top of their clothes, open on the shoulder of the right-hand side while the left side was tied with a ribbon to free the left arm. It was closed at the front and the length reaches the ground. They were of similar make but of different colors.

The ministers were all wearing black robes made of wool with golden accents and the emblem of the ministry they're heading embroidered on the left shoulder area.

All the landed peers were wearing scarlet robes with a collar of white miniver fur. On the right-hand side of the robe, miniver bars edged with gold oak-leaf lace, indicate the rank of the wearer. 4 for a duke, 3 ½ for a marquess, 3 for an earl, 2 ½ for a viscount, and 2 for a baron. 

The vice ministers that were part of the peerage were wearing their red robes with miniver bars according to their rank while having the emblem of their ministry embroidered on the left shoulder area.

The vice ministers that were not part of the peerage were wearing navy-colored robes also with the emblem of their ministry embroidered on the left shoulder area.

"Your highness, the 2nd prince will indeed be attending today's meeting." His aid informed him.

Geoffrey nodded his head. His half-brother, Frederick, have just returned from Alighieri and have turned 18 this year. Yesterday at dinner, his mother has bragged of his achievements, comparing him to Geoffrey who funnily sang in some music album like an entertainer, causing the ire of the queen, who was his mother. Like usual, he just let their words enter one ear and out of the other.

However, Frederick had the gall to mention Serena's name. He talked about how he could not even teach his fiancée some decorum. That she was singing like some entertainer and even worse, she's doing all those with a man beside her. 

Geoffrey's patience has been tested. He knew that his brother was goading him. They were trying to find faults with him and since they could find none, they were constantly trying to lure him in taking a misstep.

Good thing that the King has arrived to join them, and the one-sided conversation ended.

"Shall I help you don your robe?" asked the aide.

"Alright." He replied.

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The meeting of the house of the lords was attended by the king, the princes, the landed peer members, 8 ministers of the king, 16 vice ministers, and other administrative officials such as scribes. On certain occasions, officials working under the ministers would also be invited depending on a need basis.

The king would sit at the throne which is located at the elevated platform at the end of the hall. He makes the final decision on matters.

On a lower platform on the left, was another throne like chair where the crown prince would be seated. He would be given the allowed to join the sessions when he reaches the age of 18. He may also voice his opinions and suggestions.

The lower platform on the right serves as a podium where King's appointed speaker would stand. He presides the meeting but has no voting right.

A few paces in front of the King, in the middle of the room, was a long table which is called the table of the house. Behind it was a dock where a member of the peerage would stand on trial if he ever were to be accused of a crime. It was an addition which came about after the magna carta which would guarantee the right of a peer to justice and fair trial. 

About 2 meters from both sides of the long table were 3 layers of benches, the front bench, middle bench, and back bench. 

On the front benches nearest to the king, the 8 ministers composed of royal dukes will be seated on the left while the landed dukes would be seated on the right. Each of them was given 4 votes.

One must also make a distinction between the landed and royal dukes. The landed dukes are those who were given a duchy by the first king. Meanwhile, the royal duke title was created for the sons of the 6th King of Windsor who were not the crown prince. At that time, the King had 9 sons and he did not want a bloody battle to the throne. Thus, he gave them the title and assigned each as his minister. In the next generations, the ministerial position has been selected within these 8 families.

If princes other than the crown prince were to attend the Meeting, a front bench seat shall be given from the Minister's side moving the seating location from that end. They were not given a right to vote.

The vice ministers would take the middle and back bench behind the ministers. 

Meanwhile, the Marquis (3 votes) would take the next set of front benches, if there are still spaces in front left, it would be given to the Earls (2 votes). The bench behind the dukes would seat the next set of peers, which includes the Viscounts and Barons (1 vote respectively) according to rank.

The scribes and administrative aids would be divided to be seated at the benches on both ends of the house. One end was adjacent to the elevated platform where the throne was. 

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The peers were lined up according to rank while waiting for the doors of the house of lords to open. On the left were the ministers, on the right were the landed Dukes. Meanwhile, the peers of lower rank were huddled at the back, discussing about daily matters with the person beside him.

A gong was hit 3 times then the doors were opened. The first to enter were the minister of Justice and the Grand duke of Suffox, followed by the others in two straight lines. Everyone took position standing in front of their designated seats.

After a few minutes, an air horn was blown once indicating that the princes were entering. The peers did not have to bow as in this house, only the king was above all.

Geoffrey was wearing a hand-woven purple velvet robe which was open in the middle. The ends were connected by a gold chain. It was embroidered with golden threads and the collar was fully lined with white silk. He entered and walked to stand in front of his seat. Frederick was behind him, wearing a similar robe in dark green and did the same.

Finally, the air horn was blown three times, and the speaker standing at the podium announced, "All hail his majesty, King Edward V."

The king entered and everyone had to bow in a 30-degree angle, their right hand over their left chest. The king's robe was made of hand-woven royal blue velvet embroidered with gold threads. Its collar was lined with winter ermine fur. It was open in the middle and connected by double gold chains.

Once seated on his throne, he said, "My lords, pray be seated." And that's the time everyone took their seats. 

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TBC

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