Tag: Westminster

Georgian Lords, 18th Century history, George II, George III, Georgian, History of Parliament Trust, Legal history, Local History, Social history

“Wilful murder by persons unknown”: death in an Oxford college (1747)

In the latest post for the Georgian Lords, Dr Robin Eagles examines an unpleasant incident that took place in Oxford in the 1740s, which left a college servant dead and several high profile students under suspicion of his murder… In April 1784, George Nevill, 17th Baron Abergavenny, was approached to ask whether he would accept promotion to an earldom. In the wake of Pitt the … Continue reading “Wilful murder by persons unknown”: death in an Oxford college (1747)

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History of Parliament Trust, 18th Century history, Constituencies, Elections, George II, George III, Georgian, Georgian Elections Project, Georgian Lords, Local History, Queen Anne

Steps towards identifying new Black voters in 18th-century Westminster and Hertfordshire

A few months ago, the History welcomed a guest post by Dr Gillian Williamson with her groundbreaking research into John London, to date the earliest known Black voter in Britain, who lodged his vote in the 1749 by-election for Westminster. In this latest post, Dr Robin Eagles explains the potential discovery of further Black voters taking part in the same contest and subsequent polls in … Continue reading Steps towards identifying new Black voters in 18th-century Westminster and Hertfordshire

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Victorian Commons, 19th Century history, Buildings and Architecture, Parliamentary Life, Victorian

‘A place of business’: the temporary chamber of the House of Commons, 1835-1851

As part of our series on parliamentary buildings, Dr Kathryn Rix of our House of Commons, 1832-1945 project looks at the temporary chamber used by the House of Commons from 1835 until 1851, after its previous chamber was destroyed by fire in October 1834. The devastating fire at the Palace of Westminster on 16 October 1834 made the House of Commons chamber in the former … Continue reading ‘A place of business’: the temporary chamber of the House of Commons, 1835-1851

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History of Parliament Trust, 17th Century history, 18th Century history, Charles I, George I, George II, Georgian, Georgian Lords, Parliamentary Life, Queen Anne, Religious history, Robert Walpole, Stuart

John Potter, an unusual Archbishop of Canterbury

In the latest blog for the Georgian Lords, Dr Robin Eagles examines the career of one of the lesser known Archbishops of Canterbury, who was able to make use of his August 1715 sermon celebrating the accession of George I to press forward his career in the Church. Every 30 January, the rhythm of the parliamentary session in the 17th and 18th centuries was adjusted … Continue reading John Potter, an unusual Archbishop of Canterbury

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The First Elizabethan Age, 16th Century history, Religious history, Tudor

Reframing the political narrative, Tudor-style: the Westminster conference of 1559

The use of social media to influence political opinion has become a contentious issue in the past few years. However, there’s nothing new about the basic concept of politicians trying to shape popular perceptions to their own advantage, as Dr Paul Hunneyball of our Lords 1558-1603 project explains… In March 1559, Elizabeth I’s government had a serious problem on its hands. The first Parliament of … Continue reading Reframing the political narrative, Tudor-style: the Westminster conference of 1559

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18th Century history, Art, Fashion and Material Culture, Buildings and Architecture, Disability history, Frederick North, 2nd earl of Guilford, George III, Georgian, Georgian Lords, Legal history, Local History, Parliamentary Life, Religious history, Social history

Bloomsbury Square and the Gordon Riots

For almost 20 years, Bloomsbury Square has been the home to the History of Parliament. In the latest post for the Georgian Lords, Dr Robin Eagles considers the history of the square in one of its most turbulent periods. Bloomsbury Square, and its immediate surroundings, have long been associated with prominent political figures. In 1706, several peers had residences in the square, notably the (2nd) … Continue reading Bloomsbury Square and the Gordon Riots

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Conferences, Seminars and Events, History of Parliament Trust

Lived experiences of the Westminster Parliament in history: People, sociability, communities and space

On Friday 14 March 2025, a one-day conference, Lived Experiences of Westminster Parliament in History: People, Sociability, Communities, & Space, will be held at the University of Warwick. Organised by Brendan Tam and Chloe Challender and supported by the History of Parliament Trust and the University of Warwick’s Early Modern and Eighteenth Century Centre, the conference will examine the evolving dynamics between individuals and the … Continue reading Lived experiences of the Westminster Parliament in history: People, sociability, communities and space

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Georgian Lords, 18th Century history, Elections, Georgian, Minority Ethnic History, Social history

John London: Britain’s First Black Voter?

At first glance, the 1749 Westminster constituency by-election does not seem to warrant too much attention, with the incumbent, Viscount Trentham, being re-elected following his appointment to office. However, as Dr Gillian Williamson explores, the election provides the earliest known record of a Black person voting in a British parliamentary election – John London. In November 1749 John London walked from his home to vote … Continue reading John London: Britain’s First Black Voter?

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Georgian, 18th Century history, Buildings and Architecture, Factions, Georgian Lords, Legal history, Local History, Religious history, Scottish History, Social history

The day Parliament was invaded

In the summer of 1780 London, and several other cities across England, experienced some of the worst rioting they had seen in a generation, following the presentation of a petition to Parliament calling for the repeal of the Catholic Relief Act. In the latest post for the Georgian Lords, Dr Robin Eagles considers the evidence of Lord George Gordon’s trial report and the insights it … Continue reading The day Parliament was invaded

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

Hustings and leadership debates 18th-century style

Leadership debates, as experienced in modern elections, were not a feature of 18th-century contests. However, as Dr Robin Eagles shows in the latest post for the Georgian Elections Project, that does not mean that there was not plenty of opportunity for candidates to address their prospective constituents and be quizzed on their record. As Frank O’Gorman has shown, the qualities looked for in 18th-century MPs, … Continue reading Hustings and leadership debates 18th-century style

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