Category: Unlikely Parliamentarians

History of Parliament Trust, Medieval history, The Commons in the Wars of the Roses, Unlikely Parliamentarians

Real or imagined? Fifteenth-century MPs as perpetrators of violence

In our latest blog we’re exploring some of the dangerous reputations held by Medieval MPs with Dr Simon Payling, senior research fellow for our Commons 1461-1504 project. It seems that in the 15th century accusations of violence (even murder!) weren’t enough to stop you becoming an MP… THE HISTORY OF PARLIAMENT: THE HOUSE OF COMMONS 1422-1461, edited by Linda Clark, is out now. For further … Continue reading Real or imagined? Fifteenth-century MPs as perpetrators of violence

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17th Century history, Early modern history, Elections, James I to Restoration, Religious history, Unlikely Parliamentarians

Breaching the guidelines: clerical MPs in the mid-seventeenth century

As the country grapples with interpreting the rules of the Covid-19 lockdown, Dr Vivienne Larminie of our Commons 1640-1660 section considers another situation where a seemingly clear-cut ban proved difficult to enforce… Uncertainty has long surrounded the eligibility of clergy to sit as MPs. Only in 2001 was legislation passed explicitly permitting all ministers of religion to stand for election. This repealed the Clergy Disqualification … Continue reading Breaching the guidelines: clerical MPs in the mid-seventeenth century

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Early modern history, Military history, Religious history, Unlikely Parliamentarians

Unlikely Parliamentarians 5: Civil War religious radical

This week is Parliament Week, a programme of events and activities that connects people across the UK with Parliament and democracy. To mark it, every day this week we are publishing a blog on ‘unlikely parliamentarians’  – the men and women across history who became parliamentarians only unexpectedly. Our final blog in the series is from Dr Stephen Roberts, editor of the Commons 1640-60 section. … Continue reading Unlikely Parliamentarians 5: Civil War religious radical

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19th Century history, Social history, Unlikely Parliamentarians

Unlikely Parliamentarians 4: a view from the Victorian Commons

This week is Parliament Week, a programme of events and activities that connects people across the UK with Parliament and democracy. To mark it, every day this week we are publishing a blog on ‘unlikely parliamentarians’  – the men and women across history who became parliamentarians only unexpectedly. In our fourth blog of the series, Dr Philip Salmon, editor of the Victorian Commons, discusses some … Continue reading Unlikely Parliamentarians 4: a view from the Victorian Commons

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Early modern history, James I to Restoration, Religious history, Social history, Unlikely Parliamentarians

Unlikely MPs 3: Catholics in Parliament, 1604-1629

This week is Parliament Week, a programme of events and activities that connects people across the UK with Parliament and democracy. To mark it, every day this week we are publishing a blog on ‘unlikely parliamentarians’  – the men and women across history who became parliamentarians only unexpectedly. In today’s blog, Dr Paul Hunneyball of the Lords 1603-29 section discusses a group of parliamentarians unlikely … Continue reading Unlikely MPs 3: Catholics in Parliament, 1604-1629

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Medieval history, Social history, Unlikely Parliamentarians

Unlikely Parliamentarians 2: William Veysy, medieval brickmaker

This week is Parliament Week, a programme of events and activities that connects people across the UK with Parliament and democracy. To mark it, every day this week we are publishing a blog on ‘unlikely parliamentarians’  – the men and women across history who became parliamentarians only unexpectedly. Our second blog written by Dr Linda Clark, editor of the Commons 1422-1504 Section, describes the life … Continue reading Unlikely Parliamentarians 2: William Veysy, medieval brickmaker

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20th century history, Oral history, Post-1945 history, Social history, Unlikely Parliamentarians

Unlikely Parliamentarians 1: Modern MPs

This week is Parliament Week, a programme of events and activities that connects people across the UK with Parliament and democracy. To mark it, every day this week we are publishing a blog on ‘unlikely parliamentarians’ – the men and women across history who became parliamentarians only unexpectedly. We’re starting with a selection of stories taken from our MPs’ oral history project… Our oral history … Continue reading Unlikely Parliamentarians 1: Modern MPs

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