In his book, Who Goes Home? Sir Robert Rogers, outgoing clerk of the House engaged in combat with Mr Bercow, cites a 1313 statute banning armour from both Houses.
Should it be repealed at once to permit a wider range of methods to settle the dispute over the choice of Sir Robert’s successor? He also quotes an 18th-century predecessor who ruled that the Commons should be prepared to consider all expedients to ensure that business was “not subject to the momentary caprice of the Speaker.