Category: Health and Medicine

James I to Restoration, 17th Century history, Constituencies, Health and Medicine, Local History, Social history, Stuart

Dudley North, 3rd Lord North and the discovery of the waters of Tunbridge Wells

As part of our focus on health and medicine, Dr Ben Coates of the Lords 1604-29 Section considers the origins of the famous spa at Tunbridge Wells, Kent, and ponders whether the parliamentary context might shed light on the date of these events… In March 2017 a new, cartoon-style mural by artist Chris Burke was unveiled on platform 2 of Tunbridge Wells station in Kent. … Continue reading Dudley North, 3rd Lord North and the discovery of the waters of Tunbridge Wells

Ben Coates4 Comments
Victorian Commons, 19th Century history, 20th century history, Health and Medicine, Parliamentary Life, Victorian

‘Of unsound mind’? MPs, mental health and the 1886 Lunacy (Vacating of Seats) Act

Today, during Mental Health Awareness Week, we hear from Dr Kathryn Rix, Assistant Editor of the Commons 1832-1868 Section and the Victorian Commons blog. She explains the legislation that bound MPs suffering with prolonged periods of mental illness from 1886 until legislative reform in 2013… In 1886 Parliament passed the first piece of legislation dealing directly with the mental health of its members, the Lunacy … Continue reading ‘Of unsound mind’? MPs, mental health and the 1886 Lunacy (Vacating of Seats) Act

Kathryn Rix3 Comments
Georgian Lords, 18th Century history, Georgian, Health and Medicine, Military history

‘Skulking on the Poop’: the court martial of Captain Henry Rufane 1745

Today’s blog for Mental Health Awareness Week is from Dr Robin Eagles of the Lords 1660-1832 Section. He describes the controversy surrounding the mental and physical health of Marine Captain Henry Rufane during his trial following a battle at sea with the forces of the Young Pretender in 1745… In the summer of 1745 Charles Edward Stuart (the Young Pretender) launched his bid for the British … Continue reading ‘Skulking on the Poop’: the court martial of Captain Henry Rufane 1745

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Stuart, 17th Century history, Health and Medicine

Remember, Remember

Dr Robin Eagles, Senior Research Fellow in the History’s House of Lords, 1660-1832 project, shares a cautionary tale ready for bonfire night… For most, the mantra is “remember, remember the 5th of November” but for Thomas, Lord Jermyn, the ditty was more likely to have been “remember, remember the 28th of October”. On that day in 1697, while observing the lord mayor’s procession in London … Continue reading Remember, Remember

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