The King’s representative, the clerk of the Crown, took his place on one side of the long table. The clerk of Parliament took his position opposite him. He reached out for the first bill in the pile and, in a solemn voice, read out its title: ‘The South Metropolitan Gas Bill.’
‘Le Roy le veult,’ replied the clerk of the Crown in the ancient Norman phrase which had signified a sovereign’s pleasure at enacting a royal decree or Act of Parliament for centuries.
The clerk of Parliament took the next bill from the stack. “The Felixstowe Pier Bill,’ he said.
Le Roy le veult,’ the clerk of the Crown intoned in return.
The clerk of Parliament reached for another bill.
Le Roy le veult,’ came the reply.
The Prime Minister flushed lightly and lowered his eyes at those words. A hush filled the chamber as the echoes of the clerk’s voice died. It was over.
This is a scene from the British Parliament. The passage of which Bill led to this deafening silence?
How to Participate:
✉️ Mail your answers to info@theknowledgeandlearning.com.
We’ll share the correct answers every Saturday! A few lucky winners will receive a book!