Tag: Westminster

Georgian Elections Project, 18th Century history, Elections, History of Parliament Trust, Local History, Social history

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

Robin EaglesLeave a comment
Georgian Elections Project, 18th Century history, Elections, Georgian, Social history, 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

Robin Eagles1 Comment
Georgian Elections Project, 18th Century history, Elections, Georgian

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

Robin EaglesLeave a comment
Georgian Lords, 18th Century history, Georgian, Irish History, Religious history

The Early Career of Hugh Boulter, Archbishop of Armagh

In the latest blog for the Georgian Lords, Dr Stuart Handley re-examines the early career of Hugh Boulter, briefly bishop of Bristol before being posted to Ireland, offering some corrections to his life story. Thomas Lindsay, archbishop of Armagh, died in the summer of 1724, after a long illness. Although William King, archbishop of Dublin, was widely expected to succeed to the Primacy, he was … Continue reading The Early Career of Hugh Boulter, Archbishop of Armagh

stuart03630ebadaLeave a comment
Georgian Lords, 18th Century history, Art, Fashion and Material Culture, Georgian, Local History, Social history

Tackling congestion in 18th-century London

In the course of the 18th century, Britain’s towns became increasingly congested with private carriages as well as a variety of carts, drays and hackney coaches going about their business. For pedestrians it could make negotiating the streets a nightmare. For members of Parliament, keeping the ways around Westminster unclogged proved an uphill battle. In this latest post for the Georgian Lords, Dr Robin Eagles … Continue reading Tackling congestion in 18th-century London

Robin Eagles1 Comment
Georgian Lords, 18th Century history, Buildings and Architecture, Legal history, Military history, Scottish History

“Take care, or you will break my shins with this damned axe”: The trials of Lords Balmerino, Cromartie and Kilmarnock (Summer 1746)

The summer is normally a period for Parliament to go into recess, and for MPs and members of the Lords to take some time off. On extraordinary occasions, though, Parliament has been known to sit through the summer. As Dr Robin Eagles explains, this was true of 1746 as the government got on with the task of mopping up after the ‘45. Charles Edward Stuart … Continue reading “Take care, or you will break my shins with this damned axe”: The trials of Lords Balmerino, Cromartie and Kilmarnock (Summer 1746)

Robin Eagles1 Comment
Victorian Commons, 19th Century history, Elections, Factions, Women and Parliament

‘Another of my female politicians’ epistles’: Harriet Grote (1792-1878), the 1835 Parliament and the failed attempt to establish a radical party

In the fourth of his articles on Harriet Grote (1792-1878), our research fellow Dr Martin Spychal looks at Harriet’s involvement in the abortive attempt to establish a radical party at Westminster in the wake of the 1835 election. In November 1834 four years of Whig government came to an end with the appointment of a Conservative ministry. The change in government led to a general … Continue reading ‘Another of my female politicians’ epistles’: Harriet Grote (1792-1878), the 1835 Parliament and the failed attempt to establish a radical party

Martin SpychalLeave a comment
History of Parliament Trust, The First Elizabethan Age, Victorian Commons

Review of the Year 2022

2022 has been a bumper year for the History of Parliament, as we settled into a ‘new normal’ of events both online and in person, launched new projects and publications, and continued to grow our online outreach. Here’s our Public Engagement Manager Connie Jeffery with a round-up of another busy twelve months… After two years of uncertainty and unsettled working, for the History of Parliament … Continue reading Review of the Year 2022

Connie JefferyLeave a comment
Georgian Lords, 17th Century history, 18th Century history, Buildings and Architecture, Georgian, Social history

Spending a penny in the old palace of Westminster

The human side of working in Parliament can often be forgotten, but in today’s blog Dr Robin Eagles, editor of our House of Lords 1715-1790 project, explores where parliamentarians went when in need of ‘relief’ in the old palace of Westminster… It is easy to forget when studying Parliament, but members of both Houses and other visitors to the old palace of Westminster spent long … Continue reading Spending a penny in the old palace of Westminster

Robin Eagles4 Comments
17th Century history, Buildings and Architecture, Georgian

Before Big Ben there was Old Tom

As the restoration of the Palace of Westminster’s Elizabeth Tower reaches its final stages this summer, Dr Robin Eagles, editor of our House of Lords 1715-1790 project, takes a look at the clock tower that existed before ‘Big Ben’… The story of the at times fraught development of the clock tower of the palace of Westminster is well known. A late addition to Charles Barry’s … Continue reading Before Big Ben there was Old Tom

Robin EaglesLeave a comment