1766, Bulstrode Whitelocke, Whitelockes notes uppon the kings writt for choosing members of parlement (XIII car II), page 134:That the word “magnates†beares the meaning of “commoners,†as well as lords, is expounded by a parlement itſelfe, in the præamble to the ſtatute Staple; wherin is ſaid. “Wheras good deliberation had with the prelats, dukes, earles, barons, and great men of the counties; that is to ſay, of every countey one, for all the countey, &c.a†So that the word “magnates†here is expreſſely uſed for “commoners, knights of ſhires;†and may therfore beare the like conſtruction in other times, and places. So in a plea rolle, in the tower, a law is mentioned made by the king, biſhops, earles, “barons, and other great men,†and the king’s councell; where magnates are reckoned beſides, and after, baronsb.
1775, A Collection of Curious Diſcourſes Written by Eminent Antiquaries upon Several Heads in Our Engliſh Antiquities, volume II, page 78:The conquerour, to winne the fauour of the people, did yeeld to them to be gouerned by St. Edward’s laws. And yet, that hee might the better ouer-rule, he followed the courſe of the French and Norman gouernment. That was, in appointing ſtately offices to high and noble perſonages, knowing this to be a cheife poynt in gouernment, to haue authority regarded : as it is ſet downe in the præamble of the ſayd Black booke.
