Final answer:
The British Parliament evolved into two houses: the House of Lords, for nobles and church officials, and the House of Commons, for knights and freemen. This bicameral system represented different societal classes with the Lords being hereditary positions, while the Commons were elected representatives.
Step-by-step explanation:
Over time, Parliament divided into two houses. High-ranking nobles and church officials met as the House of Lords. Knights and freemen met as the House of Commons.
During the medieval era, the two chambers of a legislature were divided based on class, designed to reflect different types of representation. In the United Kingdom, the concept of bicameralism created a system where the House of Lords was mainly composed of hereditary nobles and high-ranking clergy, while the House of Commons consisted of elected members representing the general populace, including merchants and landowners. This structure emerged over time and was influenced by various factors like the Black Death and the Hundred Years' War, which prompted the need for more frequent sessions of Parliament to raise funds and address the nation's concerns.