38 A MEDIEVAL CITY

Middle Ages. The Convocation of the lords of the
Church had itself a share in the governing of the
nation as well as of the Church, its own particular
sphere. The Church was one of the most powerful
and richest factors in national affairs. The clear
division of the Parliament of the Middle Ages into
three groups reflects the sharp divisions that there
were between the three great classes of the nation—
the nobles, the clergy, the people.

In the fifteenth century, as in other centuries,
York was frequently visited by the King. From
time to time, as when the King and Court proceeded
north during the wars with Scotland, Parliament
was moved to York, where it was held in the Chapter
House of the Minster. Six of the seven windows of
the Chapter House contain their original stained
glass, in which appear shields of King Edward I.
and members of the Court. The Chapter House
was used as a Parliament house during the
reigns of the first three Edwards. The King, in
mediaeval times, was actual commander-in-chief,
and it suited him well for Parliament to meet in the
political capital of the north, so that he could continue
the civil administration while conducting warfare
in the north.

Henry IV. was in York on several occasions,
chiefly because of rebellions. The house of Percy,
which engaged frequently in revolt and faction, led
the rebellion of 1403 in which Henry Percy, called
Hotspur, was killed at the battle of Shrewsbury.
Harry Hotspur, whom Shakespeare made in accord-
ance with tradition the fiery and valorous counter-
part of Prince Hal, Henry IV/s heir and FalstafE's
companion, was buried in the Minster. When
Archbishop Scrope headed a revolt, also not un-
connected with the Percles, from York and was