I. Europa. 601 35. Großbritannien und Irland.
HOUSE OF HANOVER.
George I. (Son of Elector of Hanover, by Sophia, dau. of Elizabeth, dau. 0fJ.I) . 1714 1727
George II. (Only son of G. IL). . . 2: 2 2 2 m Er er rn. 1727 1760
George III. (Grandson of G. II). . . 2. 2 2 2 2 er m En Er re er rn. 1760 1820
George IV. (Eldest son of G. III.) . . . : 2 2 2 2 m nr 2 nr 2 rer nn. 1820 1830
William IV. (3rd. son of G. III) . .. 2 2 2 0 nr En nr ren. 1830 1837
Victoria (Daughter of Edward, 4th son of G. II.). . - - : 2: 2 ee 0. . 1837 1901
HOUSE OF SAXE-COBURG.
Edward VII (Eldest son of Queen Victoria). - - » 2 2 2 2 2er ee. 1901 Whom
God Preserve
The Constitution. Introducetory BRemarks.
England the classic home of the ideal and modern Constitution, offers the greatest difficulties
to those who would study her constitution, for it is to a large extent unwritten. Its rules
can be found in no written document; it is built upon old laws and precedents reaching back
into ‘grey antiquity‘. Its institutions are so vast, so apparently disconnected, illogical, confusing.
and contradictory, that the student stands before it, much as a solitary woodman stands alone,
axe in hand to clear a densly wooded continent; he does not know where to begin.
It is said of Tocqueville that he made the remark about the English constitution: elle
n’existe point!. *Other constitutions have been built; that of England has been allowed to grow,
and so the organism has gradually adapted itself to ite environment. Its development has been
biological rather than mechanical; and for this reason it is still instinct with vitality, while some
of its much later imitators show signs of stiffness and desiccation‘?, To speak with Anson: “Our
constitution is a somewhat rambling structure, and like a house which many successive owners
have eltered just so far as suited their wants at the time of their possession, it bears the marks
of many hands, and is convenient rather then symmetrical‘“?. f
It is clear that any attempt to offer even a description in outline of that ponderous machine
the British Constitution in an article of this scope is futile. But the author* will feel that he has
not failed in his object if he has given the earnest inquirer a few hints and directions as to which
paths he is to traverse, and to where he is to turn for information.
Ancient political writers recognised three forms of government, that of democracy, of
aristocracy and of monarchy. And they allrecognise, whatever the form, there must be an authority
in which the jure summa imperii reside®. Modern writers speak of “sbsolute‘, ““pure‘‘ or ““mixed“
forms of government. The English Constitution is a “Mixed Constitution“. England is a Limited
Monarchy.
6 1. The Monarch.
The present King of England is described as:
Edward, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and
of the British Dominions beyond the Seas King. Defender of the Faith‘. Emperor of
India’,
: Also quoted by Sidney Low in “The Governance of England” (Lond. 1906).
em p. 6.
® «Law and Custom of the Constitution” (1892 ed), V. I, p. 31.
4 Compiler would be the fitter appellation; for we must all go to Hallam, Stubbs,
Todd, Erskine May, Dicey, Änson and Gneist.
8 Ci. Blackstone, “Commentaries of the Laws of England” (1880 ed) vol I., p. 50;
De Lome On the Constitution; Hallem, Middle Ages p. 153, and Constitutional History.
® Defensor Fidei was the title conferred by Pope Leo X. on Henry VIII. as a reward for
writing against Martin Luther! It dates quinto Idus Octob. 1521. On King Henry’s supproseing
the houses of religion the Pope took the title away; but the title was confirmed in the 25th year
of his reign, and has been adopted by all succeeding sovereigns.
’ The title Empress of India was assumed by Queen Viotoria in 1858.
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