History of Parliament
@histparl.bsky.social
Creating a comprehensive account of parliamentary politics in England, then the UK, from the thirteenth century to the present day. You can find us at other places, here: https://linktr.ee/historyofparliament
#ICYMI yesterday the Georgian Lords posted for @histparl.bsky.social on references to the #Odyssey and Iliad in Parliament and more general political commentary from the 19th century and onwards... #skystorians
The Georgian Lords@georgianlords.bsky.social · yesterdayNew post from Robin Eagles of the Georgian Lords looking into political references to the Iliad and Odyssey from Wellington to the present... historyofparliament.com/2026/08/04/t...
For more on Pat Munro, see this post from our assistant editor @kathrynrix.bsky.social for @histparl.bsky.social : historyofparliament.com/2026/03/02/p...
‘One of the greatest Rugby players who ever sat in the House’: Pat Munro MP - The History of Parliament
Pat Munro made his debut as a Scotland rugby international on 4 February 1905 at Inverleith, Edinburgh, taking on Wales in the Home Nations Championship (the
historyofparliament.com
UK Parliamentary Constituencies (since 1885)@parlconst.bsky.social · 5h agoPatrick Munro was a Scottish rugby international, who played for his country 13 times from 1905 to 1911. Later he became Governor of Khartoum. In 1931, he was elected Conservative MP for Llandaff & Barry, which he held until his death in 1942 while on a Home Guard training exercise at Westminster.
Two such different politicians, both hugely influential at Court (and in government) sharing a death day: John Hervey, Lord Hervey (d. 1743) and Frederick North, Lord North, by then 2nd earl of Guilford (d. 1792). Hervey didn't live to inherit the earldom of Bristol; North got his for just 2 years.
Delighted to be part of such a fantastic team! @histparl.bsky.social @georgianlords.bsky.social
The Georgian Lords@georgianlords.bsky.social · 9h agoLook out for a new online article from the Georgian Lords tomorrow, when we will be welcoming the first post by @brogers1721.bsky.social, who joined the team last month. We are delighted to have him on board. #HistParl
🚨New Article🚨 Inspired by the recent release of Christopher Nolan's adaptation of The Odyssey, Dr Robin Eagles has looked back at how Homer's epic poem has featured in British political discourse.
Politics, popular celebration and the Trojan War - The History of Parliament
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
historyofparliament.com
🧵Thread🧵 Following the news that voters in the Clacton by-election will be choosing between a whopping 34 candidates, the #HistParl team have been thinking about the history of ballots.
Clacton by-election ballot list costing four times more
The list of 34 candidates standing in the Clacton by-election is nearly a metre long.
bbc.co.uk
On 4 August 1265, Simon de Monfort was killed at the Battle of Evesham during the Second Barons' War, ending his year-long ascendancy as the de facto ruler of England. Find out more about his greatest victory against Henry III at the Battle of Lewes below.
Simon de Montfort and the Battle of Lewes - The History of Parliament
On the anniversary of the battle of Lewes, news of a new play that explores the causes of the battle and we launch our 2015 conference website…
historyofparliament.com
🚨New Substack🚨 It is currently the Summer Recess for both Houses of Parliament, allowing MPs, Peers and parliamentary staff the opportunity to take some time off. @jhdavey.bsky.social has explored its long history and how MPs have historically enjoyed their time away from Westminster. ☀️🌴
Summer Recess
It is the Summer Recess for both Houses of Parliament, allowing MPs, Peers and parliamentary staff the opportunity to take some time off.
historyofparliament.substack.com
Lord Ronald Gower was born on this day in 1845. Gower was MP for Sutherland (1867-73) and a prominent figure in British LGBTQ+ history. Our colleague @martinspychal.bsky.social has explored his life and career over a series of articles. 🧵
Lord Ronald Gower (1845-1916): the life of a queer MP at the time of the Second Reform Act
Dr Martin Spychal introduces his series of articles on Lord Ronald Gower (1845-1916), who was elected as MP for Sutherland in 1867. This is the first of five
historyofparliament.com
George I succeeded Queen Anne as King of Great Britain and Ireland on this day in 1714. Below, we consider the manoeuvring around the creation of George’s heir as an English duke in the years leading up to Queen Anne's death.
The Duke of Cambridge and the Hanoverian Succession, 1706-14
The duke of Cambridge was the English title bestowed in 1706 on George Augustus, the electoral prince of Hanover (and future British king, George II), and it
historyofparliament.com
Born #OnThisDay 1819 Melville Portal, Conservative MP for North Hampshire 1849-57. The Portal family of Laverstoke were paper manufacturers & held the contract to make paper for the Bank of England’s notes from 1724.
Text of the act here: www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1963/4... #LegalHistory
Legislation.gov.uk
The official home of UK legislation, revised and as enacted 1267-present. This website is managed by The National Archives on behalf of HM Government. Publishing all UK legislation is a core part of t...
legislation.gov.uk
History of Parliament@histparl.bsky.social · 5d agoToday in 1963, the Peerage Act was given royal assent. This allowed those who inherited a peerage who had entered the House of Lords the option of disclaiming their title. Alfie Steer explores Tony Benn's role in the passage of this Act, enabling him to be reelected to the House of Commons.
Last month, The History of Parliament and St James’s House celebrated the publication of their latest collaboration, Monarchy and Democracy: a History of Leadership. Below, @jhdavey.bsky.social, Director of the History of Parliament discusses the contents of the book.
Monarchy and Democracy: A History of Leadership - The History of Parliament
In June, The History of Parliament and St James’s House celebrated the publication of their latest collaboration, Monarchy and Democracy: a History of
historyofparliament.com
Today in 1963, the Peerage Act was given royal assent. This allowed those who inherited a peerage who had entered the House of Lords the option of disclaiming their title. Alfie Steer explores Tony Benn's role in the passage of this Act, enabling him to be reelected to the House of Commons.
On this day in 1990 Ian Gow, MP for Eastbourne was assassinated by a car bomb planted by the IRA. Former MPs interviewed for our oral history project have reflected on how threats to their lives affected them during the troubles.
MPs and the Troubles
The bombing occurred during the early years of the Troubles, but during one of the most deadly periods of the IRA’s mainland bombing campaign. The bomb in
historyofparliament.com
Following last week's article on who could vote after the 1832 Reform Act, this week we're considering 'where' people voted. Our colleague @martinspychal.bsky.social discusses the impact of reform on England's electoral politics. @victoriancommons.bsky.social
Reappraising England’s reformed electoral map, 1832-1868: the impact of the 1832 Reform Act - The History of Parliament
As my book, Mapping the State, explores, and the History of Parliament’s 1832-1868 Commons project is discovering, it is the rich complexity of England’s
historyofparliament.com
🚨New Substack🚨 Last week our director @jhdavey.bsky.social attended Lord Forsyth's first major speech as Lord Speaker. In the latest post for 'Scribble Book', she explores both the role and its place in the long history of House of Lords reform.
The Lord Speaker and Lords’ Reform
Last week, I attended an event hosted by the Hansard Society, where Lord Forsyth of Drumlean delivered his first major public speech since being elected Lord Speaker.
historyofparliament.substack.com
One of many Cokes covered by @histparl.bsky.social's volumes - and there's also this very interesting piece by @georgianlords on Sir Edward Coke: historyofparliament.com/2016/11/10/e...
Sir Edward Coke and the Bill of Rights: the royal prerogative and parliament in the seventeenth century - The History of Parliament
Last week’s judgment by the high court that Theresa May’s government was not able to use its powers under the royal prerogative to trigger article 50 made
historyofparliament.com
The Georgian Lords@georgianlords.bsky.social · last wk.Such a substantial pile for someone without a peerage, though Coke of Norfolk did, of course, eventually secure elevation to the earldom of Leicester. www.histparl.ac.uk/volume/1754-...
A helpful reminder of the ongoing conversation about what Lords reform might look like. It was something that was tried (unsuccessfully) in 1719 and revisited on occasion through the 19th and 20 centuries... historyofparliament.com/2019/12/05/w...
“Windy music & heat in the House” The failure to reform the House of Lords in 1719 - The History of Parliament
In the winter of 1719 the duke of Buckingham presented the House of Lords with a bill for reforming the state of the peerage. This was substantially the same
historyofparliament.com
History of Parliament@histparl.bsky.social · last wk.🚨New Substack🚨 Last week our director @jhdavey.bsky.social attended Lord Forsyth's first major speech as Lord Speaker. In the latest post for 'Scribble Book', she explores both the role and its place in the long history of House of Lords reform.
🚨 New Article🚨 Henry Carey, 1st Baron Hundson, was Elizabeth I's closest living male relative. But as Dr Andrew Thrush has explored, there are some who claimed he may even have been Elizabeth I's half-brother, with a plausible claim to the throne.
Elizabeth I’s half-brother? Henry Carey, 1st Baron Hunsdon - The History of Parliament
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
historyofparliament.com
🚨New Substack🚨 Last week our director @jhdavey.bsky.social attended Lord Forsyth's first major speech as Lord Speaker. In the latest post for 'Scribble Book', she explores both the role and its place in the long history of House of Lords reform.
The Lord Speaker and Lords’ Reform
Last week, I attended an event hosted by the Hansard Society, where Lord Forsyth of Drumlean delivered his first major public speech since being elected Lord Speaker.
historyofparliament.substack.com
Following the changes made by the 'Great' Reform Act of 1832, who was able to vote? From potwalloper to scot and lot voters, Dr Philip Salmon explores each type of post-1832 voting qualification. @victoriancommons.bsky.social
Who could vote? From potwallopers to ten-pounders: post-1832 franchises explained
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.
historyofparliament.com
In July 1945 a general election saw a landslide victory for Labour, with Clement Attlee becoming Prime Minister. Dr Emma Peplow explores the dramatic impact the results had on British politics, using reflections from our oral history archive.
1945 Election: A political awakening
Seventy years ago yesterday the results of the 1945 General Election were declared. Although the poll had been held on 5 July, the results were only announced
historyofparliament.com
On this day in 1603, James VI of Scotland was crowned king of England, where he reigned as James I. 👑 In 1617 he celebrated his Golden jubilee as the Scottish king, however his royal visit back to Scotland turned into a very costly and time consuming affair...
The jubilee tour of King James VI and I
In the 21st century, royal visits are often quite brief events, with high-speed travel, and an emphasis on public appearances and social events, rather than
thehistoryofparliament.wordpress.com
Charles Talbot, later duke of Shrewsbury, was born on this day in 1660. As one of the 'Immortal Seven', he signed a letter of invitation to William of Orange helping to trigger the 'Glorious Revolution'. To find out more about the revolution below. @georgianlords.bsky.social
A 'Glorious' Revolution?
This week the BBC’s new series ‘British History’s Biggest fibs’ tackles some of the myths surrounding the ‘Glorious Revolution’ of 1688-1689. Dr Robin Eagles
thehistoryofparliament.wordpress.com
Wonderful terminology! Find out about potwallopers, and where the term "scot free" comes from!
History of Parliament@histparl.bsky.social · 2w agoFollowing the changes made by the 'Great' Reform Act of 1832, who was able to vote? From potwalloper to scot and lot voters, Dr Philip Salmon explores each type of post-1832 voting qualification. @victoriancommons.bsky.social
In July 1653, the Barebones Parliament was assembled. The 'Nominated Assembly' as it was also known, was summoned by Oliver Cromwell to take on 'the supreme authority and government of this commonwealth'. Cromwell was installed as Lord Protector by December.
The ‘Barebones Parliament’: an assembly of the saints, 1653
Dr Vivienne Larminie, Assistant Editor of our House of Commons 1640-1660 Section, continues our Named Parliaments series with the 'Barebones Parliament'...
historyofparliament.com
It’s no wonder I couldn’t get the hang of all this when I did the 1832 Reform Act at school (soon after it became law). @histparl.bsky.social stuff is always such a good read.
History of Parliament@histparl.bsky.social · 2w agoFollowing the changes made by the 'Great' Reform Act of 1832, who was able to vote? From potwalloper to scot and lot voters, Dr Philip Salmon explores each type of post-1832 voting qualification. @victoriancommons.bsky.social
Following the changes made by the 'Great' Reform Act of 1832, who was able to vote? From potwalloper to scot and lot voters, Dr Philip Salmon explores each type of post-1832 voting qualification. @victoriancommons.bsky.social
Who could vote? From potwallopers to ten-pounders: post-1832 franchises explained
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.
historyofparliament.com
