15th Century History
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Westminster Hall in the Middle Ages
Although first constructed in the 11th century, Westminster Hall still stands tall as an important building within the modern-day Houses…
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Why was Sir Richard Vernon chosen as Speaker in the ‘Parliament of Bats’ of 1426?
Although the modern Speaker of the House of Commons must remain politically impartial, this was not always the case. But,…
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The poetic memorialization of late-medieval MPs
Producing biographies on late-medieval MPs comes with its unique set of challenges, notably the lack surviving records indicative of their…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Henry, Lord Scrope of Masham, and the Southampton Plot of 1415: a false conviction of treason?
In August 1415, three conspirators were executed for their role in the Southampton Plot, an attempt to usurp Henry V.…
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An unwilling ‘pretender’: reassessing the unfortunate career of Edmund Mortimer, earl of March (1391-1425)
Although heir presumptive to Richard II, Edmund Mortimer, 5th earl of March never took the throne after the Lancaster usurpation…
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Paddington in Parliament
Dr Hannes Kleineke of our Commons 1461-1504 Section explores how Paddington Bear’s favourite sweet treat was traded by some members of the late…
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The true beginning of troubles? The Parliament of Bats, 1426
Dr Hannes Kleineke explores the acrimonious ‘Parliament of Bats’, which first met in Leicester on this day 600 years ago,…
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Bosworth and other battles: the illustrious career of Sir Gilbert Talbot (d.1517) of Grafton, KG
Dr Simon Payling of our Commons 1461-1504 project explores the career of the early Tudor figure Sir Gilbert Talbot, who…
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A Lancastrian City? Coventry and the Wars of the Roses, 1451-1471
This piece is in memory of Professor Peter W. Fleming, who died in April 2025. His publishing career spanned 40…