Category: History of Parliament Trust

Conferences, Seminars and Events, 17th Century history, History of Parliament Trust, Religious history, Stuart

Between Parliament and king: the politics of Convocation in early Stuart England

At the IHR Parliaments, Politics and People seminar on Tuesday 2 June, Professor Eloise Davies of the University of Florida, will be discussing the politics of convocation in early Stuart England. The seminar takes place on 2 June 2026, between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. You can attend online via Zoom. Details of how to join the discussion are available here. The history of Convocation, the traditional … Continue reading Between Parliament and king: the politics of Convocation in early Stuart England

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Contemporary History, 20th century history, History of Parliament Trust, Legislative History, LGBTQ+ History, Margaret Thatcher, Modern, Oral history, Social history, Tony Blair

Section 28: Memories from the Oral History Archive

Section 28 of the Local Government Act, 1988, was one of the most controversial pieces of legislation in Britain at the end of the twentieth century. To mark the anniversary of its introduction, Alfie Steer has delved into the oral history archive to explore MPs’ memories of it. Section 28 (otherwise known as Clause 28) was first included in the 1988 Local Government Act as … Continue reading Section 28: Memories from the Oral History Archive

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Victorian Commons, 19th Century history, Georgian, History of Parliament Trust, Minority Ethnic History, Scottish History, Slavery, Victorian

‘Philly’ or ‘Filly’ (c.1790-unknown): mother and enslaved domestic worker of Barbados and Guyana

In this extended third article in his series on Peter McLagan, MP for Linlithgowshire 1865-1893, Dr Martin Spychal explores the life of ‘Philly’ or ‘Filly’. Philly was enslaved at the domestic residence of McLagan’s father in Demerara (modern-day Guyana) at the time of McLagan’s birth. This article draws on research in the ‘Slave registers and records of the Slave Compensation Commission, 1812-1851’, held by the … Continue reading ‘Philly’ or ‘Filly’ (c.1790-unknown): mother and enslaved domestic worker of Barbados and Guyana

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Conferences, Seminars and Events, 18th Century history, 19th Century history, Factions, Georgian, History of Parliament Trust, Modern, Parliamentary Life

The role of political sociability in establishing and maintaining political friendship and alliances in late-Hanoverian Britain, 1760-1837

At the IHR Parliaments, Politics and People seminar on Tuesday 5 May, BrendanTam of the University of Warwick, will be discussing political sociability and friendship in late-Hanoverian Britain. The seminar takes place on 5 May 2026, between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. It is fully ‘hybrid’, which means you can attend either in-person in London at the IHR, or online via Zoom. Details of how to … Continue reading The role of political sociability in establishing and maintaining political friendship and alliances in late-Hanoverian Britain, 1760-1837

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Georgian Lords, 18th Century history, Art, Fashion and Material Culture, George I, George II, George III, Georgian, History of Parliament Trust, Modern, Parliamentary Life

Dressing the part: robes ancient and modern

In the latest post for the Georgian Lords, Dr Robin Eagles considers the symbolism of the robes worn by members of the House of Lords both in Parliament and at coronations, and how some lords went to considerable lengths to ensure that their prized possessions were passed from one generation to the next. One of the most familiar sights of the state opening of Parliament … Continue reading Dressing the part: robes ancient and modern

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History of Parliament Trust

Internship: History of Parliament Trust, House of Lords 1640-60 Project

The History of Parliament is excited to announce a new 8-week internship position for postgraduate-level researchers. Applications are invited for a fixed-term internship in the History of Parliament’s House of Lords 1640-60 section. Applicants should be enrolled in a postgraduate degree in History or a related subject, be familiar with early modern English palaeography, and have a strong knowledge of mid-seventeenth century British history. Applications … Continue reading Internship: History of Parliament Trust, House of Lords 1640-60 Project

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Conferences, Seminars and Events, 18th Century history, 19th Century history, 20th century history, Art, Fashion and Material Culture, Elections, Georgian, History of Parliament Trust, Medieval, Modern, Victorian

Re-membering the medieval parliament, 1769-1886

At the IHR Parliaments, Politics and People seminar on Tuesday 17 March, Dr Sarah Wride of the University of York and the Institute of Historical Research, will be discussing the political memory of medieval parliaments in debates about parliamentary reform between 1769 and 1886. The seminar takes place on 17 March 2026, between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. It is fully ‘hybrid’, which means you can … Continue reading Re-membering the medieval parliament, 1769-1886

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Victorian Commons, 19th Century history, Constituencies, Corruption, Elections, George IV, History of Parliament Trust, Local History, Victorian, Women and Parliament

The ‘Bifrons Purse’: Elizabeth, Marchioness Conyngham and aristocratic women’s participation in nineteenth-century elections

Drawing on her research into Canterbury for the House of Commons, 1832-1868 project, our research fellow Dr Naomi Lloyd-Jones explores the political life of Elizabeth, Marchioness Conyngham (1769-1861). Best known as George IV’s final mistress, Conyngham‘s electioneering activity in Canterbury offers an important example of the behind-the-scenes roles wealthy women could play in politics during the nineteenth century. Famous as ‘the regnante’ and ‘vice queen’, … Continue reading The ‘Bifrons Purse’: Elizabeth, Marchioness Conyngham and aristocratic women’s participation in nineteenth-century elections

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History of Parliament Trust, 15th Century History, Medieval, Parliamentary Life, The Commons in the Wars of the Roses

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 medieval House of Commons… This blog must start with a disclaimer: there is of course no evidence (and no suggestion) that the Peruvian bear ever sat in the British House of Commons. What we do know, however, is that late medieval Members traded, inter alia, … Continue reading Paddington in Parliament

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History of Parliament Trust

‘Matters false and scandalous’: the Scots and the emergence of party in the mid-1640s

In this guest article, Professor Laura Stewart explores how the writing of a Scottish polemicist, David Buchanan, not only inflamed partisan rivalries, but also opened up the workings of the English Parliament to public scrutiny. On 13 April 1646, a committee set up by the House of Commons to investigate an anonymously authored book ‘intituled, “Truth’s Manifest”’, reported on its findings. Passages of the book … Continue reading ‘Matters false and scandalous’: the Scots and the emergence of party in the mid-1640s

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