How to expel an MP from Parliament: The ejection of John Wilkes in 1764

John Wilkes was well known for treading a fine line in his outspoken comments against the government, but in 1763 Parliament decided he had gone too far. Here Dr Robin Eagles, editor of our House of Lords 1715-1790 project, reflects on the case Parliament built against him and how they finally expelled Wilkes from the Chamber… On 19 November 1763 Colonel Bate, reporting affairs in … Continue reading How to expel an MP from Parliament: The ejection of John Wilkes in 1764

Edward, Lord Stafford and the 1621 parliamentary protections scandal

Four hundred years ago this month, in an unprecedented move forced on it by circumstances, Parliament adjourned for more than five months. As Dr Paul Hunneyball of our Lords 1558-1603 section explains, this seemingly innocuous procedural move had unfortunate and unintended consequences… The 1621 Parliament is now chiefly remembered for its sustained attacks on corruption in high places. The lord chancellor, Francis Bacon, Viscount St … Continue reading Edward, Lord Stafford and the 1621 parliamentary protections scandal

The Return of Charles II, 29 May 1660

In today’s blog Dr Andrew Barclay, senior research fellow in our Commons 1640-1660 project, returns to his exploration of the days leading up to the restoration of Charles II. In this final instalment, we turn to 29 May 1660, as Charles entered London as King for the first time… Charles II entered London in triumph on 29 May 1660, his 30th birthday. Three weeks earlier … Continue reading The Return of Charles II, 29 May 1660

Parliaments, Politics & People Seminar: Paul Hunneyball, ‘Privilege versus prerogative: tensions between the House of Lords and the Crown, c.1603-30’

In today’s blogpost, Dr Paul Hunneyball, Senior Research Fellow on the Lords 1603-1660 section, reports back on his recent ‘Parliaments, Politics & People‘ seminar paper, Privilege versus prerogative: tensions between the House of Lords and the Crown, c.1603-30… In the early-seventeenth century, the royal prerogative became an increasingly contested issue. As relations between the first Stuart monarchs and their parliaments deteriorated, both James I and Charles … Continue reading Parliaments, Politics & People Seminar: Paul Hunneyball, ‘Privilege versus prerogative: tensions between the House of Lords and the Crown, c.1603-30’

Parliaments Politics and People seminar, 20 November 2012 Keith Stapylton (UCL): ‘The problem of privilege in early Stuart parliaments’

Dr Robin Eagles reports back on the latest ‘parliaments, politics and people’ seminar Following on from Caroline Shenton’s presentation a fortnight ago, the Parliaments seminar returned to the early seventeenth century this week with a paper by Keith Stapylton examining the problem of privilege in early Stuart parliaments. Some will be familiar with the concept of parliamentary privilege; many more may have come across examples … Continue reading Parliaments Politics and People seminar, 20 November 2012 Keith Stapylton (UCL): ‘The problem of privilege in early Stuart parliaments’