The idea of a parliament is a common one today, with variations in name across countries and continents but the same basic purpose, to provide a voice for the people and produce legislation in line with their wishes. The term parliament was first used for these gatherings of the three estates in 1236. The expression Three Estates' was not used in the English context for their parliament; instead there were two houses: the lords of the nobility and the church formed the upper house, later the House of Lords, and the knights, landowners and sheriffs of the counties formed the lower house the House of Commons. The First Estate was made up principally of higher clergy, often of noble birth. The French parliaments, in common with those across Europe, grew out of the traditional advice offered to the kings from their nobles and clergy.