Category: Georgian Lords

History of Parliament Trust, 18th Century history, Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham, Factions, George Grenville, George II, George III, Georgian, Georgian Lords, Parliamentary Life, Social history

From Jockeys to Ministers: How Horse Racing Shaped Rockingham’s First Ministry

In the latest post for the Georgian Lords, we welcome Ioannes Chountis de Fabbri from the University of Aberdeen, who considers the importance of horse racing in the formation of the Rockingham administration of 1765. The structure of mid-eighteenth-century politics was often defined as much by social custom as by constitutional form. What Leslie Mitchell has called the ‘circle of acquaintances’ of the ruling, largely … Continue reading From Jockeys to Ministers: How Horse Racing Shaped Rockingham’s First Ministry

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Georgian Lords, 18th Century history, 19th Century history, Factions, George Canning, Georgian

Canning’s ‘little senate’, 1798-1813

George Canning (1770-1827) was the most talented Member of the House of Commons of his generation, but his political career, which took him (briefly) to the pinnacle, was chequered and controversial. He entered the House in 1793 as a devoted Pittite, and by 1798 had there a band of ten personal followers, chiefly friends from Eton and Christ Church. Between 1801 and 1809, both in … Continue reading Canning’s ‘little senate’, 1798-1813

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History of Parliament Trust, 17th Century history, 18th Century history, Charles I, George I, George II, Georgian, Georgian Lords, Parliamentary Life, Queen Anne, Religious history, Robert Walpole, Stuart

John Potter, an unusual Archbishop of Canterbury

In the latest blog for the Georgian Lords, Dr Robin Eagles examines the career of one of the lesser known Archbishops of Canterbury, who was able to make use of his August 1715 sermon celebrating the accession of George I to press forward his career in the Church. Every 30 January, the rhythm of the parliamentary session in the 17th and 18th centuries was adjusted … Continue reading John Potter, an unusual Archbishop of Canterbury

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Georgian Lords, 18th Century history, George II, Georgian, Queen Anne

The Duke of Cambridge and the Hanoverian Succession, 1706-14

Early modern monarchs often were jealous of their heirs. In the early 18th century this was especially the case when the childless Queen Anne faced the prospect of seeing her crown pass to foreign cousins. In this article, marking the anniversary of Anne’s death and the accession of George I, we consider the manoeuvring around the creation of George’s heir as an English duke. The … Continue reading The Duke of Cambridge and the Hanoverian Succession, 1706-14

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Georgian, 18th Century history, Diplomacy and International Relations, Frederick North, 2nd earl of Guilford, George III, Georgian Lords, Military history, Parties

From bills to bullets: Spring 1775 and the approach to war in America

A recent article in this series [Background to the American Revolution] looked at the debates in the House of Lords in early February 1775 on a bill for conciliation with the American colonies. After its rejection the imperial crisis continued to occupy the House’s attention. In the latest post for the Georgian Lords, Dr Charles Littleton considers the debates and divisions occasioned by the addresses, … Continue reading From bills to bullets: Spring 1775 and the approach to war in America

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18th Century history, Art, Fashion and Material Culture, Buildings and Architecture, Disability history, Frederick North, 2nd earl of Guilford, George III, Georgian, Georgian Lords, Legal history, Local History, Parliamentary Life, Religious history, Social history

Bloomsbury Square and the Gordon Riots

For almost 20 years, Bloomsbury Square has been the home to the History of Parliament. In the latest post for the Georgian Lords, Dr Robin Eagles considers the history of the square in one of its most turbulent periods. Bloomsbury Square, and its immediate surroundings, have long been associated with prominent political figures. In 1706, several peers had residences in the square, notably the (2nd) … Continue reading Bloomsbury Square and the Gordon Riots

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portrait of a young man in 18th-century dress
Georgian Lords, 18th Century history, Constituencies, Elections, Factions, Frederick North, 2nd earl of Guilford, George III, Georgian, Local History, Parties, William Pitt the Younger

‘of all others most desirable’: Pitt the Younger and elections for Cambridge

From the onset of his lengthy political career, William Pitt the Younger had his eyes fixed on representing his alma mater, the University of Cambridge. Writing to his mother in July 1779, he observed that the University seat was ‘of all others most desirable, as being free from expense, perfectly independent, and I think in every respect extremely honourable’. In this latest guest post for … Continue reading ‘of all others most desirable’: Pitt the Younger and elections for Cambridge

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Painting of a man in 18th-century dress with a long grey wig, wearing a brown coat with a blue robe set among classical figures.
18th Century history, Constituencies, Factions, George II, George III, Georgian, Georgian Lords, Henry Pelham, John Stuart, 3rd earl of Bute, Legal history, Local History, Parliamentary Life, Parties, Robert Walpole, Social history, Spencer Compton, 1st earl of Wilmington

Some thoughts on William Pulteney, earl of Bath

The 31 May 2025 marks Dr Stuart Handley’s last day at the History of Parliament. One of his last biographies for The House of Lords, 1715-90 has been William Pulteney, earl of Bath. It will be the third History of Parliament biography of Pulteney, his long career having been covered by Dr Andrew Hanham in The House of Commons, 1690-1715, and by Dr Romney Sedgwick … Continue reading Some thoughts on William Pulteney, earl of Bath

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Scottish History, 17th Century history, 18th Century history, Diplomacy and International Relations, Factions, George III, Georgian, Georgian Lords, James II, Military history, Religious history, William Pitt the Younger

The Last of the Jacobites: Henry Benedict

Henry Benedict, Cardinal York (1725-1807), born 300 years ago this March, was the last member of the royal family to take an active role in a papal Conclave, when he participated in the election of Pope Pius VII at Venice in 1800. Dr Robin Eagles investigates how he found himself in that position… On 6 March 1725, Pope Benedict XIII (1724-30) was roused from a … Continue reading The Last of the Jacobites: Henry Benedict

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Georgian, 18th Century history, Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham, Diplomacy and International Relations, Frederick North, 2nd earl of Guilford, George Grenville, Georgian Lords, Military history, William Pitt the Elder

Background to the American Revolution

As part of a new infrequent series on the American Revolution and its connection to Parliament, Dr Robin Eagles explores the immediate background to the Revolution, and early Parliamentary debates surrounding it in February 1775. At the beginning of 1775, pretty much every British politician agreed that something needed to be done about America, with many eager to find a way to reconcile both parties … Continue reading Background to the American Revolution

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