Meeting of Parliament Act 1694

by Parliament of England

WHEREAS by the ancient laws, and statutes of this kingdom, frequent parliaments ought to be held; and whereas frequent and new parliaments tend very much to the happy union and good agreement of the King and people; We your majesties most loyal and obedient subjects, the lords spiritual and temporal, and commons, in this present parliament assembled, do most humbly beseech your most excellent majesties, that it may be declared and enacted in this present parliament; and it is hereby declared and enacted by the King's and Queen's most excellent majesties, by and with the advice and content of the lords spiritual and temporal, and commons, in this present parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, that from henceforth a parliament shall be holden once in three years at the least

II. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that within three years at the farthest, from and after the dissolution of this present parliament,

and so from time to time for ever hereafter, within three years at the farthest, from and after the determination of everyother parliament, legal writs under the great seal shall be issued by directions of your Majesties, your heirs and successors, for calling, assembling and holding another new parliament. 

III. And be it further enacted by the authority aforseaid, that from henceforth no parliament whatsoever, shall at any time hereafter be called, assembled or held, shall ave any continuance longer longer than for three years only at the farthest, to be accounted from the day on which by the writs of summons the said parliament shall be appointed to meet.

IV. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that this present parliament shall cease and determine on the first of November, which shall be in the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred and ninety six, unless their majesties shall think fit to dissolve it sooner.