Month: September 2014

20th century history, Military history

Putting aside party controversy: party organisers and the First World War

One hundred years ago this month, the main British political parties decided to prioritise war in Europe over electoral battles. Dr Kathryn Rix, of the Victorian Commons, tells us more… In October 1914 the Conservative Agents’ Journal urged party organisers in the constituencies that the outbreak of war made it necessary to put aside ‘party controversy and acrimony’, and ‘Keep the Flag Flying’. A similarly patriotic note … Continue reading Putting aside party controversy: party organisers and the First World War

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Early modern history, Medieval history

Magna Carta in Coventry

The wonderful Public Catalogue Foundation website discussion strand, Art Detective, has been hosting a discussion about this picture at St Mary’s Guildhall, Coventry. There’s documentary evidence about when the picture was painted, though it is rather confusing: an entry in the city’s accounts for 1626 says ‘Payd for making of the pictures of King James & King Charles for the hall £6.’ There is also … Continue reading Magna Carta in Coventry

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Early modern history, England and Scotland, Medieval history, Social history

Back to the future: Scottish parliaments in context

In the last of our series of blogposts on Anglo-Scottish relations, Dr Alastair Mann, Senior Lecturer at the University of Stirling, describes the Scottish Parliament project… As we approach the momentousness of the 2014 referendum for Scottish independence the past seems to collide with the future in the oddest of ways. Seven years ago, in 2007/8, the Scottish Parliament Project, based at St Andrews University, … Continue reading Back to the future: Scottish parliaments in context

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Medieval history, Military history, Social history

Agincourt, Dick Whittington and trials with Latin: a summer placement at the History of Parliament

From time to time student volunteers join sections of the History for short placements. This summer, the 1422-1504 section played host to David Whitehorn, a second-year history undergraduate from Royal Holloway, University of London. David writes of his experience: I have to admit I didn’t really know anything about the History of Parliament before I applied for the placement, but over my time here I … Continue reading Agincourt, Dick Whittington and trials with Latin: a summer placement at the History of Parliament

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19th Century history, England and Scotland, Social history

The Eglinton Tournament 1839: A Victorian take on the Anglo-Scottish Rivalry

As the Scottish independence referendum draws nearer, Dr Gordon Pentland, of Edinburgh University, guestblogs for us in the latest of our series on Anglo-Scottish relations throughout the centuries. After a Scottish summer of medieval battle re-enactments, festivals and politics, he examines an event from 1839, which combined all three… 175 years ago, Archibald Montgomerie, the Earl of Eglinton (1812-61) resolved to provide what might now … Continue reading The Eglinton Tournament 1839: A Victorian take on the Anglo-Scottish Rivalry

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