Category: 18th Century history

Georgian, 18th Century history, Legal history, Minority Ethnic History, Slavery

Somerset v Stewart, 1772: an End to Slavery in Britain? 

The campaigning activities of abolitionist MPs such as William Wilberforce and Thomas Fowell Buxton are well-known, but one former MP, who had become a member of the House of Lords, was involved in this question in a rather different way. Joe Baker – Public Engagement Assistant for the History of Parliament – looks at the landmark decision made by Lord Mansfield in the case of … Continue reading Somerset v Stewart, 1772: an End to Slavery in Britain? 

Joe BakerLeave a comment
History of Parliament Trust, 18th Century history, Factions, George III, Georgian, Georgian Lords, Health and Medicine, John Stuart, 3rd earl of Bute, Parliamentary Life, Parties, William Pitt the Younger, Women and Parliament

A Meddlesome Mother? Queen Charlotte and the Regency Crisis

In October 1788, George III fell ill with an unknown ‘malady’ which rendered him unable to fulfil his duties as sovereign: the beginning of the king’s famous ‘madness’. In the latest post for the Georgian Lords, we welcome Dr Natalee Garrett, who considers the role of Queen Charlotte during the period of the king’s illness, and more broadly. As the Prince of Wales was 26 … Continue reading A Meddlesome Mother? Queen Charlotte and the Regency Crisis

Robin EaglesLeave a comment
18th Century history, 16th Century history, 17th Century history, Georgian, Oliver Cromwell, Stuart, Tudor

The Last of the Cromwells

The current BBC production of Wolf Hall: the Mirror and the Light, the last of Hilary Mantel’s novels charting the rise and fall of Thomas Cromwell, is a reminder that Cromwell’s dynasty did not end with him on the block. In this post, Dr Robin Eagles considers the careers of some of the direct heirs and how Cromwell’s descendant, Elizabeth, attended the coronation of Queen … Continue reading The Last of the Cromwells

Robin Eagles1 Comment
Georgian Lords, 18th Century history, Constituencies, Elections, Frederick North, 2nd earl of Guilford, Georgian, Scottish History

Did you know, Lord George Gordon had two brothers?

In his latest post for the Georgian Lords, Dr Stuart Handley looks into the family of the notorious Lord George Gordon, who was at the centre of the political storm that resulted in the 1780 ‘Gordon Riots’ that rocked London and other British towns and cities… The recent riots engulfing parts of Britain have rekindled interest in the propensity of the populace to riot during … Continue reading Did you know, Lord George Gordon had two brothers?

stuart03630ebadaLeave a comment
Georgian Lords, 18th Century history, Elections, Georgian, Minority Ethnic History, Social history

John London: Britain’s First Black Voter?

At first glance, the 1749 Westminster constituency by-election does not seem to warrant too much attention, with the incumbent, Viscount Trentham, being re-elected following his appointment to office. However, as Dr Gillian Williamson explores, the election provides the earliest known record of a Black person voting in a British parliamentary election – John London. In November 1749 John London walked from his home to vote … Continue reading John London: Britain’s First Black Voter?

History of ParliamentLeave a comment
Conferences, Seminars and Events, 18th Century history, 19th Century history, 20th century history, Scottish History

Conference Review: Histories of Scottish Politics in the Age of Union, c.1700-1945

23-24 July 2024 Collingwood College Durham In July 2024, the History of Parliament Trust supported the two-day conference Histories of Scottish Politics in the Age of Union, c., 1700-1945, held at Durham University and organised by Naomi Lloyd-Jones. In this blog, Brendan Tam, one of the speakers, reflects on the event and on the state of Scottish and British political history. Ewen Cameron’s keynote address … Continue reading Conference Review: Histories of Scottish Politics in the Age of Union, c.1700-1945

Connie Jeffery1 Comment
Georgian, 18th Century history, Buildings and Architecture, Factions, Georgian Lords, Legal history, Local History, Religious history, Scottish History, Social history

The day Parliament was invaded

In the summer of 1780 London, and several other cities across England, experienced some of the worst rioting they had seen in a generation, following the presentation of a petition to Parliament calling for the repeal of the Catholic Relief Act. In the latest post for the Georgian Lords, Dr Robin Eagles considers the evidence of Lord George Gordon’s trial report and the insights it … Continue reading The day Parliament was invaded

Robin Eagles2 Comments
Georgian Lords, 17th Century history, 18th Century history, Buildings and Architecture, Economic history, Military history, Social history

‘The most surprising instance of a change of fortune raised by a man himself’: the case of James Brydges, 1st duke of Chandos

In the latest blog for the Georgian Lords, Dr Charles Littleton, considers the career of the 1st duke of Chandos, a man who rose to become one of the most flamboyant peers of the early 18th century and a key patron of the composer, Handel. Last month saw the 280th anniversary of the death of an intriguing and, in his time, prominent 18th-century aristocrat. Intriguing, … Continue reading ‘The most surprising instance of a change of fortune raised by a man himself’: the case of James Brydges, 1st duke of Chandos

clittleton6c6ff85dd91 Comment
Georgian Lords, 17th Century history, 18th Century history, 19th Century history, Elections, History of Parliament Trust, Irish History, Local History

The Southwells – from administrators to an ancient peerage

In the latest blog for the Georgian Lords, Dr Stuart Handley charts the history of the Southwell family, from their origins in Gloucestershire and as administrators in Ireland to their ultimate inheritance of one of the senior peerages in the House of Lords. It is particularly satisfying when the various sections of the History of Parliament allow the fortunes of one family to be traced … Continue reading The Southwells – from administrators to an ancient peerage

stuart03630ebadaLeave a comment
Georgian Lords, 18th Century history, Parties

“Honest and essential service”: Henry Fox, Lord Holland, government fixer

Even in the 18th century, governments of all sorts relied on tough politicians who were willing to do the dirty work to keep administrations afloat. In the latest post for the Georgian Lords, Dr Robin Eagles highlights the case of Henry Fox, Lord Holland, one of the most notorious of them all, who died 250 years ago. In the winter of 1762/3 Holland oversaw the … Continue reading “Honest and essential service”: Henry Fox, Lord Holland, government fixer

Robin EaglesLeave a comment