a petition by the earls, barons, and commonalty of the realm

He then addresses the commonalty in a speech, desiring them to proceed to a new election.

In the same year the bishop and the commonalty of the port of Hythe founded a hospital.

It is clear, however, that while Shakespeare suggests linguistic community or commonalty in this scene and a leveling of differences, the power relationship remains vertical and hierarchical, with England and English on top.

the expression seems to be spreading from teenagers to the broad commonalty