The Commons in the Wars of the Roses
This collection of articles highlights the ongoing research of our House of Commons 1461-1504 section, exploring the individuals, events and themes relating to the dramatic history of the later 15th century.
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Parliament in a portacabin: the routine maintenance of Westminster Hall in the Middle Ages
During the summer recess staff at Parliament take the opportunity to undertake repair work on the Palace. This is a…
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The battle of Northampton and the strange death of Sir William Lucy MP
This week 555 years ago one of the significant Wars of the Roses contests, the battle of Northampton, took place.…
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The ‘Election’ of the Speaker in Fifteenth-Century Parliaments
Today Parliament returns, and the new assembly’s first job is to elect a new Speaker. Dr Simon Payling, Senior Fellow…
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Richard III and the Parliament of 1484
As Richard III is today reburied in Leicester Cathedral, Dr Hannes Kleineke, Senior Research Fellow on the Commons 1422-1504 section,…
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Parliament in the North
Yesterday, the Commons Speaker John Bercow suggested that MPs may have to move out of the House of Commons for…
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The battle of Bosworth: consequences for winners and losers
The battle of Bosworth took place on this day in 1485. Dr Charles Moreton, senior research fellow of the Commons…
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Dangerous Liaisons in 15th Century England: Sir John Butler
In June 1477 one parliamentarian who had successfully avoided the dangers of the Wars of the Roses met a violent…