[2] In order to guard herself against any political influence adverse to that of the Cabinet (S582), and hence of the majority of the House of Commons, the Queen was compelled to consent (1841) that the Mistress of the Robes, or head of her Majesty’s household, should change at the demand of the incoming Prime Minister; and it was furthermore agreed that any ladies under her whose presence might be politically inconvenient to the Prime Minister, should retire “of their own accord.”  In other words, the incoming Prime Minister, with his Cabinet, has the right to remodel the Sovereign’s household—­or any other body of offices—­in whatever degree he may think requisite, and the late Prince Albert could not even appoint his own private secretary, but much to his chagrin had to accept one appointed for him by the Prime Minister.  See May’s “Constitutional History of England” and Martin’s “Life of the Prince Consort.”

Custom, too, has decided that the Sovereign must sanction every bill which Parliament approves and resolves to make law.  Queen Anne was the last occupant of the English throne who ventured to veto a bill, by refusing to assent to it.  That was in 1707, or more than two hundred years ago, and there is little probability that any wearer of the crown will ever attempt to do what she did.  In fact, an able and authoritative English writer has not hesitated to declare that if the two Houses of Parliament should agree to send the reigning Sovereign his own death warrant, he would be obliged to sign it, or abdicate.[1]

[1] See Bagehot’s “The English Constitution.”

An English sovereign’s real position to-day is that of a person who has much indirect influence and but little direct power,—­far less in fact than that of the President of the United States; for the latter can veto a bill, and can remove any or all of his cabinet officers at pleasure.

588.  The House of Lords in the Past and To-day.

A change equally great was taking place with respect to the Peers, or Lords.[2] As that body has played a most important part in the government of England and still retains considerable influence, it may be well to consider its history and present condition.

[2] Peers (from the Latin pares, equals):  The word first occurs in an act of Parliament, 1321,—­“Pares et proceres regni Angliae spirituales et temporales.”  The name Peers, referring to the House of Lords, is here limited, as it has been ever since, to the higher clergy (now consisting of certain bishops) and to the hereditary nobility.

It will be remembered that the peerage originated with the Norman Conquest.  William rewarded the barons, or chief men, who fought under him at Hastings[3] with grants of immense estates, which were given on two conditions:  one of military service at the call of the Sovereign (S150); the other their attendance, when required, at the Great or Royal Council (S144), an advisory and legislative body which contained the germ of what later came to be called Parliament.