Welcome to the History of Parliament blog!
Here we share posts about our current research projects, wider parliamentary history, highlights from our events, seminars and conferences, and future publications. The History of Parliament’s core work lies in researching and writing series of volumes depicting Parliamentary life and proceedings throughout the past 700 years. These academically rigorous works contain detailed biographies of parliamentarians, studies of constituencies and introductory surveys. The Sections currently underway … Continue reading Welcome to the History of Parliament blog!
How does an MP resign? The Chiltern Hundreds & the Manor of Northstead
Have you just heard that an MP has resigned by ‘taking the Chiltern Hundreds’? Our Senior Research Fellow, Dr Martin Spychal, explains the practice and explores its historical context… MPs are not allowed to resign from Parliament. However, a parliamentary loophole exists that allows an MP to vacate their seat by asking the chancellor of the exchequer to disqualify them from sitting in the Commons. … Continue reading How does an MP resign? The Chiltern Hundreds & the Manor of Northstead
Lonely voices crying in the wilderness: the bishops who opposed the American war
In the latest post for the Georgian Lords, Dr Charles Littleton considers the role of a minority of the bishops in the House of Lords standing in opposition to the ministerial response to the developing crisis in America. In all the recent coverage on the departure of the hereditary peers from the House of Lords, it could easily be overlooked that the bishops of the … Continue reading Lonely voices crying in the wilderness: the bishops who opposed the American war
Sir Robert Peel and the modern Conservative party
Sir Robert Peel, twice Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (1834-35, 1841-46), entered Parliament at only 21 years of age. He went on to establish the Metropolitan police, repeal controversial laws such as the Test and Corporation Acts and later the Corn Laws, and introduce Catholic emancipation. However, as Dr Philip Salmon from our House of Commons 1832-68 section explores, Peel also played a significant … Continue reading Sir Robert Peel and the modern Conservative party
Legitimism and the origins of the Wars of the Roses: the motivations of Richard, duke of York
Following recent articles on the origins of the Wars of the Roses, Dr Simon Payling of our House of Commons 1461-1504 section explores the motivations of Richard, duke of York for asserting his claim to the throne in 1460… It has become unfashionable to argue that the primary cause of the Wars of the Roses was the dynastic uncertainty occasioned by the deposition of Richard … Continue reading Legitimism and the origins of the Wars of the Roses: the motivations of Richard, duke of York
Accessing Hansard online: a research guide
Hansard – the official record of what is said in Parliament – originated in the early 19th century. Our Commons 1832-68 project team have previously written about how the reporting of parliamentary debates evolved in the 19th century and what conditions were like in the reporters’ gallery. In this post, Dr Kathryn Rix has put together a research guide for other researchers or interested readers … Continue reading Accessing Hansard online: a research guide
The Politics of Organising in the Long 19th Century
Dr Naomi Lloyd-Jones, Research Fellow on the Victorian Commons project, has edited ‘The Politics of Organising in the Long 19th Century’, this year’s special issue of the journal Parliamentary History. The whole issue is free to read until the end of June 2026. This collection of 11 essays makes the case for a fresh approach to the history of extra-parliamentary politics that examines both the … Continue reading The Politics of Organising in the Long 19th Century
Votes for women before and after 1832
Continuing our series on the practical workings of the UK’s historic voting system, Philip Salmon of our House of Commons, 1832-1868 project re-examines when and how some women could vote long before they secured equal electoral rights with men. Women’s participation in politics before 1918, when they acquired the parliamentary vote, is now well documented. After decades of neglect in older narratives, a wide range of … Continue reading Votes for women before and after 1832
Correcting the record: conciliation and reconciliation over America in 1776
Just a few months before the Declaration of Independence, last minute efforts were made to reconcile Britain and the American colonies. Dr Robin Eagles shows how former Prime Minister, the duke of Grafton, one of the most earnest advocates for finding a way out of the crisis, also took the opportunity of proposing a deal to halt hostilities to correct the official record of remarks … Continue reading Correcting the record: conciliation and reconciliation over America in 1776
Interwar literature, politics and East-central Europe
At the IHR Parliaments, Politics and People seminar on Tuesday 16 June, Dr Juliette Bretan of Cambridge University will be discussing literary depictions of, and new proposals regarding, the politics of British involvement in East-central Europe during the interwar period. The seminar takes place on 16 June 2026, between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. It is fully ‘hybrid’, which means you can attend either in-person in London … Continue reading Interwar literature, politics and East-central Europe
Lineage and Architectural Display: the ‘Golden Chapel’ at Tong (Shropshire) and the Commemoration of Sir Henry Vernon, governor of the household of Prince Arthur
Dr Simon Payling of our 1461-1504 section explores the life and remembrance of MP for Derbyshire Sir Henry Vernon, and his family’s enduring relationship with Tong (Shropshire). In the funerary landscape of late-medieval England, parish churches provided gentry families a hallowed setting, at the heart of their communities, in which their lineage and status could be publicly and enduringly expressed. The church of St Bartholomew at Tong in … Continue reading Lineage and Architectural Display: the ‘Golden Chapel’ at Tong (Shropshire) and the Commemoration of Sir Henry Vernon, governor of the household of Prince Arthur