Cricket in the Commons: a Victorian First Eleven

With the 2025 Ashes between England and Australia getting underway this week, we have a cricketing themed post from our House of Commons, 1832-1945 project. Historically, cricketing terminology, with its allusions to ‘fair play’ and playing with a ‘straight bat’, has been a mainstay of British political discourse. This was certainly the case in the Victorian era. For example, in 1864, when the Conservative opposition … Continue reading Cricket in the Commons: a Victorian First Eleven

‘Kind patron of the mirthful fray’: the English aristocracy and cricket in the 18th century

The Ashes Test series currently under way provides an opportunity to consider the English aristocracy’s role in cricket’s early development in the 18th century. In this blog for the Georgian Lords Dr Charles Littleton looks back at some of the early developers of the game. Foremost among cricket’s early patrons (according to rank) was the heir to the throne, Frederick, Prince of Wales. Within three … Continue reading ‘Kind patron of the mirthful fray’: the English aristocracy and cricket in the 18th century

The world of parliament extends beyond the Commons and Lords: Michael Morris, Lord Naseby

Since 2012 our team of volunteers have been interviewing former MPs about their lives and careers for the History of Parliament Oral History project, and often their memories reflect on current events both in Westminster and the wider world. Here, volunteer interviewer Peter Reilly discusses some of the key moments in the career of Michael Morris, Lord Naseby, who throughout his life had close links … Continue reading The world of parliament extends beyond the Commons and Lords: Michael Morris, Lord Naseby