Passage of the Triennial Act

Legislative Context. During the reign of King Charles I, the English Long Parliament enacted the Triennial Act 1640, also known as the Dissolution Act. The legislation was designed to address the period between 1629 and 1640 when Charles ruled without a parliamentary session, establishing a constitutional check on royal authority.

Act Requirements. The act mandated that Parliament must convene for a minimum of fifty days once every three years. This requirement was intended to ensure regular legislative oversight and prevent the monarch from ruling without Parliament, thereby securing a recurring opportunity for political representation.

Royal Assent. Clause 11 of the bill was distinctive because it explicitly stated that the measure would receive royal assent before the parliamentary session concluded. This provision addressed the risk that, without such a clause, the act might not come into force until the next parliament, as bills did not customarily gain assent until after the session ended.