Category: Slavery

James I to Restoration, 17th Century history, Interregnum, Slavery

Discourses of Freedom and Slavery, 1640-60

Today we return to our recent series from History of Parliament director Dr Stephen Roberts, who has been discussing parliamentary involvement in the 17th century transatlantic slave trade. In the latest post Dr Roberts turns his attention to the uses of the terms ‘slavery’ and ‘liberty’ within years surrounding the English Civil Wars. It is a remarkable enough paradox that while an ever-increasing number of … Continue reading Discourses of Freedom and Slavery, 1640-60

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James I to Restoration, 17th Century history, Interregnum, Slavery, Stuart

Slavery, the Caribbean and English Liberties, 1620-40

Today’s blog is the first in a three-part series from History of Parliament director Dr Stephen Roberts about parliamentary involvement in the development of slavery in the Atlantic World in the seventeenth century… During the 400th anniversary year of the voyage of the Mayflower, much attention has focused on English migration to the colonies of New England. By 1640, Massachusetts was the largest of the … Continue reading Slavery, the Caribbean and English Liberties, 1620-40

Stephen Roberts6 Comments
Georgian, 19th Century history, Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey, Conferences, Seminars and Events, Economic history, Elections, Factions, Slavery

The West India Interest and the Parliamentary Defence of Slavery, 1823-33

Ahead of Tuesday’s Virtual IHR Parliaments, Politics and People seminar, we hear from Dr Michael Taylor, the author of The Interest: How the British Establishment Resisted the Abolition of Slavery (2020). He will be responding to your questions about his research on the parliamentary resistance to the abolition of slavery between 5:15 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on 3 November 2020. Details on how to join the discussion … Continue reading The West India Interest and the Parliamentary Defence of Slavery, 1823-33

History of Parliament2 Comments
Conferences, Seminars and Events, 19th Century history, Georgian, Legal history, Slavery

William Wilberforce, a Lettre and An Appeal: abolitionism between campaigns, 1807-1823

Ahead of tonight’s Parliaments, Politics and People seminar at the Institute of Historical Research, we hear from Anna Harrington, a PhD candidate at the University of Leicester. She spoke at our previous session on 25 February about her research into the campaigning of William Wilberforce following the abolition of the slave trade in 1807… William Wilberforce (1759-1833) is remembered as the MP who championed the abolition of … Continue reading William Wilberforce, a Lettre and An Appeal: abolitionism between campaigns, 1807-1823

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Georgian Lords, 18th Century history, Economic history, Georgian, Robert Walpole, Slavery

A Trojan horse in the House of Lords? The South Sea Company and the peerage

2020 marks the 300th anniversary of one of the most spectacular stock market crashes in British history when the South Sea Bubble burst. Dr Charles Littleton re-examines the way in which the scheme was guided through Parliament and the impact it had on some members of the House of Lords On 22 January 1720 the chancellor of the exchequer, John Aislabie, presented to the House … Continue reading A Trojan horse in the House of Lords? The South Sea Company and the peerage

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Slavery, 18th Century history, 19th Century history, Georgian, Social history, Victorian

Was Wilberforce the only influential parliamentarian abolitionist? Certainly not…

Joining the History of Parliament on work experience during the summer, A level student Georgina Hands came across the Trust whilst using our website for a school history project. Here she blogs for us about her research into parliamentary abolitionists other than William Wilberforce… Britain’s slave trade is a part of history which is often overlooked. Despite the practice of the trade occurring until the … Continue reading Was Wilberforce the only influential parliamentarian abolitionist? Certainly not…

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Victorian, 19th Century history, Conferences, Seminars and Events, Diplomacy and International Relations, Slavery

The History of Parliament lecture: Dr Amanda Foreman

The History of Parliament has held an annual lecture in Westminster for eight years, until last year Dr Amanda Foreman, author of ‘Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire’ and ‘A World on Fire’ was unfortunately delayed thanks to Hurricane Sandy. Not to be deterred, Dr Foreman made it over to Westminster at the beginning of June to give her long-anticipated lecture: ‘How to make friends and corrupt … Continue reading The History of Parliament lecture: Dr Amanda Foreman

Emma Peplow1 Comment