Category: George III

Georgian Lords, 18th Century history, George III, Georgian, William Petty, 2nd earl of Shelburne

‘A hotch-potch ministry’ – the brief but tempestuous premiership of the 2nd earl of Shelburne

Following the resignation of Liz Truss after 44 days in office, attention has turned to some of the previous figures to hold short tenures as Prime Minister. In 1782 William Petty, 2nd earl of Shelburne, became Premier and oversaw a shaky 266 days at the top, as Robin Eagles, editor of our Lords 1715-1790 project explores… Lord Shelburne is not much remembered now as a … Continue reading ‘A hotch-potch ministry’ – the brief but tempestuous premiership of the 2nd earl of Shelburne

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Georgian Lords, 18th Century history, 19th Century history, George III, Georgian, Queen Victoria, Social history, Victorian, Women and Parliament

“Hymen’s war terrific”: George III’s younger sons and the succession crisis of 1817-20

As we prepare to celebrate the birth of a new member of the royal family, Dr Charles Littleton, senior research fellow in the House of Lords 1660-1832 section, considers the circumstances surrounding the birth of Queen Victoria, whose 200th anniversary is celebrated later this month. Two events this May 2019 provide an interesting light on the history of the royal succession. We are expecting (or … Continue reading “Hymen’s war terrific”: George III’s younger sons and the succession crisis of 1817-20

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Georgian Lords, 18th Century history, George III, Georgian, Legal history, Social history

‘Anxious for the welfare of his people’: the passage of the Royal Marriages Act (1772)

Last week we welcomed the news of the forthcoming marriage of Prince Harry to Meghan Markle. This is notable as the first royal engagement since changes were made to the rules governing royal marriages. Prior to 2013 and the passing of a new Royal Succession Act, descendants of George II (reigned 1727-1760) – with some exceptions – required the sovereign’s permission to marry under the … Continue reading ‘Anxious for the welfare of his people’: the passage of the Royal Marriages Act (1772)

Robin Eagles3 Comments
Georgian, 18th Century history, 19th Century history, George III, Parties, William Pitt the Younger

‘The Story of Parliament’: Pitt and Fox

Last year the History published ‘The Story of Parliament: Celebrating 750 years of parliament in Britain’ to mark the anniversary of Simon de Montfort’s parliament in 1265. The book is a brief introduction to the full 750 years of parliamentary history, aimed at the general reader, and available to purchase from the Houses of Parliament bookshop. On this blog we are publishing some tasters of … Continue reading ‘The Story of Parliament’: Pitt and Fox

Paul Seaward1 Comment