ABSTRACT
One of the political phenomena of the early part of the seventeenth century was the formation of a definite – opposition party in the Upper House, and its alliance with the popular party in the Lower House. This was a new thing. The Duke of Newcastle, who witnessed the process, having been a peer since 1620, attributed it solely to the creation of too many peers. ‘Making so many peers.’ he told Charles II, ‘made the Upper House more factious than the Lower House. Buckingham sought to strengthen his position by promotions, creations of new peers, additions to the Privy Council, and other favours, and treated his opponents amongst the peerage with some show of moderation. It was evident that Buckingham had learnt to respect the rights of the Lords. The House of Commons throughout showed the greatest solicitude to secure the co-operation of the peers.
