In the Middle Ages, Parliament began to develop into the institution it is today. Its origins can be traced to the king's council of advisers, which included important noblemen and the leaders of the Church.
There were a few formal limits to the king's power until 1215. In that year, King John was forced by his noblemen to agree to a number of demands. The result was a charter of rights called the Magna Carta (which means the Great Charter). The Magna Carta established the idea that even the king was subject to the law. It protected the rights of the nobility and restricted the king's power to collect taxes or to make or change laws. In future, the king would need to involve his noblemen in decisions.
In England, parliaments were called for the king to consult his nobles,particularly when the king needed to raise money. The numbers attending Parliament increased and two separate parts, known as Houses of Lords. Knights, who were usually smaller landowners, and wealthy people from town and cities were elected to sit in the House of Commons. Only a small part of the population was able to join in electing the members of the Commons.