How can the Bibliography of British and Irish History (BBIH) help me? : researching the English and British Civil Wars and the Commonwealth and Protectorate period

May 2023 saw the publication of the History of Parliament’s latest work, The House of Commons 1640-1660. This publication has been referred to as the most comprehensive collection of information and analysis ever compiled of the politics of this dramatic period of English and British history and is an enormous resource for researchers. But what other resources exist for those interested in the Civil War … Continue reading How can the Bibliography of British and Irish History (BBIH) help me? : researching the English and British Civil Wars and the Commonwealth and Protectorate period

Contested Space: Politics and the Commons Chamber

The Palace of Westminster was the location of some of the most dramatic events in the English Civil Wars. Dr Stephen Roberts, editor for the House of Commons 1640-1660, discusses the layout of the House of Commons Chamber and its role in these events. The great timeless moments of parliamentary history in the 1640s and 50s – Charles I’s failed attempt to arrest the Five Members … Continue reading Contested Space: Politics and the Commons Chamber

Property, profit, principle and hazard: being an MP during the civil wars and interregnum

Being an MP during the civil wars and interregnum came with a certain amount of danger. The decisions that MPs made often came with severe consequences. Dr Vivienne Larminie, assistant editor for the House of Commons 1640-1660, reflects on the difficult choices MPs had to make at this time and the financial and personal repercussions they faced for making the wrong decision. Throughout the history … Continue reading Property, profit, principle and hazard: being an MP during the civil wars and interregnum

Introducing The House of Commons, 1640-1660

In exciting news for the History of Parliament, 2023 sees the publication of our long-running House of Commons 1640-1660 project. Here the section editor, Dr Stephen Roberts, reflects on the hard work that multiple historians have put into this project, and discusses some of the interesting people and events of this time. Since 2010, the History of Parliament’s published survey of the House of Commons … Continue reading Introducing The House of Commons, 1640-1660

York v Lancaster: elections during time of Civil War

Today, Parliament will be officially dissolved and election writs issued for all constituencies. Over the election campaign, we’ll be running a series of blogposts on campaigning and elections throughout the centuries, starting with a post from Dr Simon Payling, Senior Fellow of the Commons 1422-1504 section, on elections during the Wars of the Roses… Elections today may be closely-fought contests, but during the Civil Wars … Continue reading York v Lancaster: elections during time of Civil War