Tag: House of Commons

17th Century history, Commons in the Civil Wars, Early modern history, History of Parliament Trust, Reporting Parliament

‘Until head and knee weary’: motives and formats in the diarizing habit of Sir Simonds D’Ewes during the Long Parliament, 1640-47

Ahead of next Tuesday’s Parliaments, Politics and People seminar, we hear from Stephen Roberts, emeritus director of the History of Parliament. On 25 June 2024 Stephen will discuss the diarizing habit of Sir Simonds D’Ewes during the Long Parliament. This seminar takes place between 5.30 and 6.30 p.m. It is fully ‘hybrid’, which means you can attend either in-person in London at the IHR, or … Continue reading ‘Until head and knee weary’: motives and formats in the diarizing habit of Sir Simonds D’Ewes during the Long Parliament, 1640-47

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18th Century history, Elections, Georgian Elections, History of Parliament Trust

The ups and downs of a London election: examining London’s poll books

As pollsters look for constituencies across the country to act as representatives of how the wider nation may vote in the upcoming election, in the 18th century you might have looked to the capital city. Here Dr Robin Eagles explores how the City of London voted in two key elections either side of George I’s accession to the throne, as part of our Georgian Elections … Continue reading The ups and downs of a London election: examining London’s poll books

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18th Century history, Elections, Georgian Elections, Women and Parliament

Political Grandstanding in the 18th Century

In an age of social media and immediate news coverage, publicity opportunities have become a central part of political strategy- particularly in the run up to a General Election. But even in the 18th century politicians looked for ways to generate attention when on the campaign trail. Dr Robin Eagles, editor of our House of Lords 1715-1790 project, looks at some of these in the … Continue reading Political Grandstanding in the 18th Century

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15th Century History, Elections, Medieval history, The Commons in the Wars of the Roses

Parliamentary Elections in the Fifteenth Century

As the UK prepares to go to the polls for the 2024 General Election, modern politicians continue their campaigns across the nation, in an attempt to persuade electors to vote for them on July 4. However, for much of the middle ages, parliamentary elections saw no voting take place at all! Dr Hannes Kleineke, editor of our House of Commons 1461-1504 project, explains some of … Continue reading Parliamentary Elections in the Fifteenth Century

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18th Century history, Elections, Georgian Elections, History of Parliament Trust

The rules governing lengths of parliaments in the 18th century

Despite all of the political events of recent years, the upcoming General Election is the first time that the nation has gone to the polls since late 2019- nearly reaching the five year term limit, as determined by the Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act 2022. But the length of Parliaments hasn’t always been five years and in the 18th century the rules came under … Continue reading The rules governing lengths of parliaments in the 18th century

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17th Century history, 18th Century history, Early modern history, Elections, Events, Factions, Georgian Elections, Georgian Lords, History of Parliament Trust, House of Lords 1660-1715, Legal history, Party splits, Queen Anne, Religious history, Speakers of the House

Two anniversaries, two impeachments and an election

In 2024 the tercentenaries of the deaths of two important 18th-century figures the fell within weeks of each other. Dr Charles Littleton compares the contrasting careers of Robert Harley, earl of Oxford, and Dr Henry Sacheverell, who both suffered impeachment by Parliament Robert Harley, Speaker of the Commons, secretary of state, earl of Oxford and Earl Mortimer and, ultimately, lord treasurer and de facto leader … Continue reading Two anniversaries, two impeachments and an election

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18th Century history, Elections, Georgian Elections, History of Parliament Trust

Tory to Whig and back again

In recent weeks the factional nature of political parties has become apparent, with previous members speaking out against their leaders and news of MPs defecting to other parties. But in the 18th century the line between the main political groups was even more murky, and many politicians (as well as the nation!) found themselves going back and forth between them. In the next blog for … Continue reading Tory to Whig and back again

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18th Century history, Elections, Georgian Elections

Polling in advance of the votes

As the 2024 General Election campaigns continue this week, news outlets have been filled with many different polls, suggesting a variety of possible election outcomes. But did you know that polling ahead of an election also took place in the 18th century? Dr Robin Eagles from our Lords 1715-1790 project looks at some of the polling predictions for our Georgian Elections project… 18th-century elections were … Continue reading Polling in advance of the votes

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17th Century history, Commons in the Civil Wars, Conferences/seminars, History of Parliament Trust, Revolutionary Stuart Parliaments

Crisis? What Crisis? Parliament and Revolutionary Britain

At the end of April, the History of Parliament hosted a colloquium to celebrate the publication of the House of Commons 1640-60 volumes and the beginning of a new section on the Lords in the same period. In this blog, Dr Alex Beeton reports on a very successful day. In the last decade, it has become common to describe parliamentary democracy in England and the … Continue reading Crisis? What Crisis? Parliament and Revolutionary Britain

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14th Century history, History of Parliament Trust, Medieval history, Religious history, Reporting Parliament

A Medieval Monk’s View of Parliament: Thomas Walsingham’s Chronica Maiora and the Parliaments of 1376 to 1410

Thomas Walsingham is best known for his role as a chronicler of his own religious life, but he was also privy to many of the events that took place in Parliament in the late 14th century. Simon Payling, from our Commons 1461-1504 project, explores what Walsingham’s writing can tell us of the medieval political landscape as well as his own feelings towards Parliament. Ordained in … Continue reading A Medieval Monk’s View of Parliament: Thomas Walsingham’s Chronica Maiora and the Parliaments of 1376 to 1410

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