Medieval, 14th Century history, Edward III, Legal history, Richard II, Speakers of the House

The 14th century origins of the parliamentary impeachment process

In light of recent proceedings in the United States, in our latest blog Dr Charles Moreton, senior research fellow with our medieval project, House of Commons 1461-1504, discusses the historic origins of impeachment in English parliaments… Thanks to the actions of Donald Trump’s political opponents in the United States, impeachment is very much in the news at the moment. It is therefore an opportune moment … Continue reading The 14th century origins of the parliamentary impeachment process

History of ParliamentJanuary 16, 2020October 2, 20241 Comment

17th Century history, Interregnum, James I to Restoration, Military history, Parliamentary Life, Speakers of the House

The ‘Interruption’ of Parliament and the quest for political settlement, October 1659

In the first of a new blog series charting the collapse of the British Republic, Dr Vivienne Larminie of the Commons 1640-1660 section discusses the military coup which temporarily suspended the Rump Parliament 360 years ago… On the morning of Thursday 13 October 1659 ‘at his usual time’, Speaker William Lenthall was making his way by coach from his London residence to preside over a … Continue reading The ‘Interruption’ of Parliament and the quest for political settlement, October 1659

larminievOctober 17, 2019October 22, 20247 Comments

19th Century history, Speakers of the House, Victorian, Victorian Commons

The Speaker and the same question: a view from the Victorian Commons

In today’s blog Dr Philip Salmon, editor of the 1832-1945 House of Commons project, explores some of the historical background behind recent Parliamentary rulings relating to Brexit. The rules governing UK parliamentary procedure, not surprisingly, don’t often get much public attention. However, some of the recent decisions by Speaker Bercow serve as an important reminder that the practices of the past can have an important … Continue reading The Speaker and the same question: a view from the Victorian Commons

Philip SalmonMarch 21, 2019October 16, 20243 Comments

James I to Restoration, 17th Century history, Charles I, Speakers of the House, Stuart

Taking control: Speaker William Lenthall, precedent and the Long Parliament

In the midst of extraordinary times at Westminster, Dr Vivienne Larminie of the House of Commons 1640-1660 section looks at the response of a pioneering Speaker to the unprecedented challenges of the mid-seventeenth century… On 4 January 1642, in one of the most dramatic and iconic moments in the history of Parliament, Charles I arrived at Westminster with an armed guard. Having entered the Commons … Continue reading Taking control: Speaker William Lenthall, precedent and the Long Parliament

larminievJanuary 24, 2019May 1, 202610 Comments

Medieval, 15th Century History, Military history, Speakers of the House

Sir John Popham: A Speaker-Elect Makes a Quick Escape from the Parliamentary Turmoil caused by England’s Precipitous Exit from Europe

In light of the recent controversy surrounding the current Speaker of the House of Commons and his position on Brexit, Dr Linda Clark, Editor of the House of Commons 1422-1504 Section discusses how Agincourt veteran, Sir John Popham narrowly escaped assuming the daunting task of Speaker nearing the turbulent end of the Hundred Years’ War… THE HISTORY OF PARLIAMENT: THE HOUSE OF COMMONS 1422-1461, edited … Continue reading Sir John Popham: A Speaker-Elect Makes a Quick Escape from the Parliamentary Turmoil caused by England’s Precipitous Exit from Europe

History of ParliamentJanuary 15, 2019October 15, 20241 Comment

Georgian, 17th Century history, 18th Century history, Conferences, Seminars and Events, Irish History, Speakers of the House, Stuart

Standing orders and precedents in the Irish House of Commons in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries

Today’s blog from Glenn McKee follows his paper given at our Parliaments, Politics and People Seminar at the IHR last week. Below Glenn summarizes his paper ‘Standing orders and precedents in the Irish House of Commons in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries’… The paper examined how the Irish House of Commons used precedents and standing orders in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. In the seventeenth … Continue reading Standing orders and precedents in the Irish House of Commons in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries

History of ParliamentDecember 4, 2018November 19, 2024Leave a comment

Georgian, 18th Century history, Georgian Lords, Speakers of the House

Acquitted with three huzzas: the impeachment of Robert Harley, earl of Oxford

In today’s ‘Reporting Parliament’ series for Parliament Week 2017, Dr Robin Eagles considers the value of manuscript news accounts of the impeachment of the earl of Oxford just over 300 years ago for providing a more detailed impression of the proceedings. On 1 July 1717 Robert Harley, earl of Oxford, was acquitted of high treason. It was a process that had begun two years previously … Continue reading Acquitted with three huzzas: the impeachment of Robert Harley, earl of Oxford

Robin EaglesNovember 15, 2017October 30, 20246 Comments

Speakers of the House, 19th Century history, Georgian, Parliamentary Life, Social history, Victorian

Hot takes and fake news: news management through the Votes of the House of Commons

In the era of live webcasts from the Chamber and committee rooms, rolling Hansard and near-instant transcripts of committee sessions, it is sometimes difficult to conceive of an era when the House of Commons fought jealously to keep reports of its proceedings out of the public domain. As the House marks 200 years since the first publication of the Votes and Proceedings, Martyn Atkins, Clerk … Continue reading Hot takes and fake news: news management through the Votes of the House of Commons

History of ParliamentMay 11, 2017October 29, 2024Leave a comment

Modern, 20th century history, Electoral Reform, Social history, Speakers of the House, Women and Parliament

Votes for Women and the Speaker’s Conference on Electoral Reform 1916-17

January 2017 marks the 100th anniversary of the Speaker’s Conference on Electoral Reform 1916-17, which first sat in October 1916 and reported on 27 January 1917. Dr Mari Takayanagi, Joint Project Manager for the Vote 100 Exhibition Project, discusses the significance of the Conference for women’s suffrage. The Speaker’s Conference on Electoral Reform 1916-17 was the brainchild of Walter Long MP, President of the Local … Continue reading Votes for Women and the Speaker’s Conference on Electoral Reform 1916-17

History of ParliamentJanuary 18, 2017October 23, 20243 Comments

The History of Parliament

Articles and research from the History of Parliament Trust

Category: Speakers of the House