Welcome to the History of Parliament blog!
Here we share posts about our current research projects, wider parliamentary history, highlights from our events, seminars and conferences, and future publications. The History of Parliament’s core work lies in researching and writing series of volumes depicting Parliamentary life and proceedings throughout the past 700 years. These academically rigorous works contain detailed biographies of parliamentarians, studies of constituencies and introductory surveys. The Sections currently underway … Continue reading Welcome to the History of Parliament blog!
Politics, popular celebration and the Trojan War
The recent release of Christopher Nolan’s latest epic, The Odyssey, has sparked debate in many quarters for its depiction of Odysseus’ efforts to get back home after the tribulations of the Trojan War. In this latest post, Dr Robin Eagles considers how Homer’s epic has featured in British political discourse. Possibly the most famous moment in the mythical story of the fall of Troy is … Continue reading Politics, popular celebration and the Trojan War
Monarchy and Democracy: A History of Leadership
In June, The History of Parliament and St James’s House celebrated the publication of their latest collaboration, Monarchy and Democracy: a History of Leadership. Jennifer Davey, Director of the History of Parliament , discusses the contents of the book. We are delighted that our latest publication with St James’s House, Monarchy & Democracy: a History of Leadership, has been released. This book marks the 325th … Continue reading Monarchy and Democracy: A History of Leadership
Reappraising England’s reformed electoral map, 1832-1868: the impact of the 1832 Reform Act
Dr Martin Spychal, Senior Research Fellow on our House of Commons 1832-1868 Commons project, discuses the impact of the 1832 reform legislation on English electoral politics. This article draws from Martin’s book, Mapping the State: English boundaries and the 1832 Reform Act (2024) which is available to download free in open access. The 1832 Reform Act (and its associated legislation, the 1832 Boundary Act) reshaped … Continue reading Reappraising England’s reformed electoral map, 1832-1868: the impact of the 1832 Reform Act
Elizabeth I’s half-brother? Henry Carey, 1st Baron Hunsdon
It has long been known that Henry Carey, 1st Lord Hunsdon, was Elizabeth I’s closest living male relative. However, it is less widely known that he may also have been the queen’s half-brother. In this article, Dr Andrew Thrush, editor of the Elizabethan House of Lords project, re-examines some key evidence to suggest that this claim should not be lightly dismissed… Born in the mid-1520s, … Continue reading Elizabeth I’s half-brother? Henry Carey, 1st Baron Hunsdon
Who could vote? From potwallopers to ten-pounders: post-1832 franchises explained
Clarifying the workings of England’s historic electoral system, Philip Salmon examines who could vote following the changes made by the ‘Great’ Reform Act of 1832. This article covers the system which was in operation until the next major Reform Act in 1867. Potwallopers, ten-pounders, scot and lot voters, copyholders, burgage holders, freemen, forty-shilling freeholders, tenants-at-will – these are just some of the archaic terms for … Continue reading Who could vote? From potwallopers to ten-pounders: post-1832 franchises explained
The Speakership election of 1835
In this article Dr Kathryn Rix and Dr Martin Spychal of our House of Commons, 1832-1868 project discuss a pivotal vote in the early nineteenth-century Commons – the selection of the Speaker in February 1835. They explore popular reaction to the vote, its short and long-term significance and the difficulties of compiling an accurate division list before the publication of an official record of parliamentary … Continue reading The Speakership election of 1835
A Disappointed Father: The 1st Earl of Bolingbroke and His Son
Dr Alex Beeton explores the strained relationship of the earl of Bolingbroke and his wayward son and heir, Lord St John. Paternal disappointment is not an obvious component of Civil War historiography. Scarcity of evidence relating to personal lives is a common obstacle for historians of the mid-1640s peerage. For example, we know a great deal about the political life of Theophilus Clinton, 4th earl … Continue reading A Disappointed Father: The 1st Earl of Bolingbroke and His Son
‘Re-Thinking Westminster Hall’: Workshop September 2026
The History of Parliament Trust is pleased to be a partner in an upcoming workshop, Re-Thinking Westminster Hall: A Place of Meeting and Contest, c.1650-1800, in the Jubilee Room, Westminster Hall, on 17 September 2026. First constructed in the 11th century, Westminster Hall is one of the most celebrated buildings in Britain. It is also one of the most complex, and perhaps relatively understudied. The … Continue reading ‘Re-Thinking Westminster Hall’: Workshop September 2026
How does an MP resign? The Chiltern Hundreds & the Manor of Northstead
Have you just heard that an MP has resigned by ‘taking the Chiltern Hundreds’? Our Senior Research Fellow, Dr Martin Spychal, explains the practice and explores its historical context… MPs are not allowed to resign from Parliament. However, a parliamentary loophole exists that allows an MP to vacate their seat by asking the chancellor of the exchequer to disqualify them from sitting in the Commons. … Continue reading How does an MP resign? The Chiltern Hundreds & the Manor of Northstead
Lonely voices crying in the wilderness: the bishops who opposed the American war
In the latest post for the Georgian Lords, Dr Charles Littleton considers the role of a minority of the bishops in the House of Lords standing in opposition to the ministerial response to the developing crisis in America. In all the recent coverage on the departure of the hereditary peers from the House of Lords, it could easily be overlooked that the bishops of the … Continue reading Lonely voices crying in the wilderness: the bishops who opposed the American war
