In recent years, following the impact of Brexit, fishing regulation has become a recurring topic in the UK’s political discussions. Similarly, in the 17th century control over piscatorial exports was controversial. In our latest blog Dr Patrick Little, from our Commons 1640-1660 section, looks to the Cornish coast and the politicisation of their local delicacy, pilchards… In the Parliaments of the 1650s it is rare … Continue reading Of Puritans and Pilchards
In the fourth in our series of tributes to our Oral History Project interviewees who have sadly passed away during the current crisis, Emma Peplow looks back on the life of David Mudd, Conservative MP for Falmouth and Camborne, 1970-92. David Mudd was a lifelong Conservative party member, but also – unusually – a member of the Cornish party Mebyon Kernow, an example of both … Continue reading A tribute to David Mudd MP
In today’s blog, Dr Hannes Kleineke, editor of our Commons 1461-1504 project, looks back to 1485, when a sudden epidemic impacted on the membership of Henry VII’s first parliament… By the time Henry VII overcame Richard III at the battle of Bosworth and claimed the English throne, changes of dynasty or even ruler followed an established pattern. Having successfully asserted a claim to the throne … Continue reading What might have been: The Sweating Sickness and the Representation of the County of Cornwall in Henry VII’s first Parliament of 1485-6
Continuing with our patron saint series, today we hear from Dr Hannes Kleineke of the Commons 1422-1504 Section about the patron saint of Cornwall, St Piran. Also see Part One and Two of Dr Stephen Roberts’ blogs on Parliament and the Welsh language in honour of St David’s Day… With recent news of the possible reopening of the South Crofty tin mine in Camborne, on the feast day … Continue reading St Piran’s Day: Tin, Tricks and Terror in 15th-century Cornwall
The latest in our General Election 2017 series and launching our new blog series on The Georgian Lords, Dr Robin Eagles, Senior Research Fellow of the Lords 1715-90 Section, describes the Pelham ministry’s snap decision to call an election and catch the opposition off-balance… On 17 June 1747 George II attended the House of Lords to grant his assent to some 59 new pieces of … Continue reading ‘Of the utmost weight for the safety and tranquillity of the kingdom’: the snap election of 1747
The History of Parliament 