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, 2019October 15, 202410 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

Medieval, 15th Century History, Military history, Speakers of the House, The Commons in the Wars of the Roses

The ‘Election’ of the Speaker in Fifteenth-Century Parliaments

Today Parliament returns, and the new assembly’s first job is to elect a new Speaker. Dr Simon Payling, Senior Fellow of the Commons 1422-1504 section, explores how medieval parliaments ‘chose’ their Speakers… The practice of electing the Speaker can be traced back almost to the origins of the office in the 1370s, but there is almost nothing to show the form taken by these elections … Continue reading The ‘Election’ of the Speaker in Fifteenth-Century Parliaments

Simon PaylingMay 18, 2015November 12, 20242 Comments

The History of Parliament

Articles and research from the History of Parliament Trust

Category: Speakers of the House