Tag: Canterbury

Victorian Commons, 19th Century history, Corruption, Elections, Victorian

A ‘new Canterbury Tale’: George Smythe, Frederick Romilly and England’s ‘last political duel’

Drawing on her research into Canterbury for the House of Commons, 1832-1868 project, our research fellow Dr Naomi Lloyd-Jones looks at the 1852 pre-election duel between the city’s MPs, Frederick Romilly and George Smythe, a notorious would-be duellist, believed to be the last political duel fought in England. In the early hours of 20 May 1852, six weeks before polling in that summer’s general election, … Continue reading A ‘new Canterbury Tale’: George Smythe, Frederick Romilly and England’s ‘last political duel’

Naomi Lloyd-JonesLeave a comment
20th century history, Military history, Modern, Parliamentary Life

MPs in World War I: Francis Bennett-Goldney (1862-1918)

Dr Kathryn Rix, Assistant Editor of the Commons 1832-1868 Section continues with our blog series to commemorate those MPs who died during the First World War. Today we remember Francis Bennett-Goldney, MP for Canterbury, who died on this day, 1918… Francis Bennett-Goldney was one of three MPs or former MPs who were in their fifties when they died while on military service during the First World War. He did … Continue reading MPs in World War I: Francis Bennett-Goldney (1862-1918)

Kathryn Rix1 Comment