‘What a theatre is the House of Commons!’

In today’s blog we hear from the History of Parliament’s director Dr Paul Seaward, continuing our recent theme of Parliament and theatre. However, as Dr Seaward explains, sometimes Parliament is a theatre all of its own.. Although the English parliament had existed for centuries already, the first descriptions we have of either chamber come after the sittings of the house of commons were relocated to … Continue reading ‘What a theatre is the House of Commons!’

The ‘Story of Parliament’: Parliament and the press

Earlier this 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 – a great Christmas present for the parliamentary … Continue reading The ‘Story of Parliament’: Parliament and the press

‘Parliaments, politics and people’ seminar – ‘Cobbett at 250: a failed MP?’

The Victorian Commons’ Dr Kathryn Rix reports back from our last ‘Parliaments, politics and people’ seminar of the term… This term’s programme for our ‘Parliaments, Politics and People’ seminar concluded with a fascinating paper from Dr. John Stevenson, of Worcester College, Oxford, on William Cobbett (1763-1835), marking the 250th anniversary of his birth. This renowned political journalist, social commentator and campaigner for parliamentary reform was … Continue reading ‘Parliaments, politics and people’ seminar – ‘Cobbett at 250: a failed MP?’