====== The Three Estates ======

The members were collectively referred to as the **Three Estates** ([[wiki>Middle Scots]] Thrie Estaitis), or 'community of the realm' (//tres communitates//), composed of:
  * the //first estate// of [[wiki>prelate]]s ([[wiki>bishop]]s and [[wiki>abbot]]s)
  * the //second estate// of [[wiki>laird]]s ([[wiki>duke]]s, [[wiki>earl]]s, [[wiki>parliamentary peers]] and [[wiki>lay]] [[wiki>tenants-in-chief]])
  * the //third estate// of [[wiki>burgh commissioners]] (representatives chosen by the [[wiki>royal burghs]])

A //[[wiki>Shire Commissioner]]// was the closest equivalent of the [[wiki>England|English]] office of //[[wiki>Member of Parliament]]//, namely a [[wiki>commoner]] or member of the lower nobility. Because the parliament of Scotland was unicameral, all members sat in the same [[wiki>Chambers of parliament|chamber]], as opposed to the separate English [[wiki>House of Lords]] and [[wiki>British House of Commons|House of Commons]].

The Parliament also had [[wiki>University constituency|University constituencies]]. The system was also adopted by the [[wiki>Parliament of England]] when [[James I of England|James VI]] ascended to the English throne. It was believed that the universities were affected by the decisions of Parliament and ought therefore to have representation in it.