History of Parliament
@histparl.bsky.social
Creating a comprehensive account of parliamentary politics in England, then the UK, from the thirteenth century to the present day.
You can find us at other places, here: https://linktr.ee/historyofparliament
You can find us at other places, here: https://linktr.ee/historyofparliament
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Special Episode live from the Houses of Parliament! | Tales from the Green Benches: An Oral History of Parliament
With guests former MPs Anne Milton and Gisela, Baroness Stuart of Edgbaston
shows.acast.com
Last month the #HistParl team headed to the Houses of Parliament to record a special episode of our podcast, Tales from the Green Benches, in front of a live audience.
The episode is now available to listen to, wherever you get your podcasts!
shows.acast.com/66e05895ae18...
The episode is now available to listen to, wherever you get your podcasts!
shows.acast.com/66e05895ae18...
In our latest article, Dr Kathryn Rix has looked at the 23 MPs commemorated in the Commons chamber who died during the Second World War.
Their biographies written by #HistParl are now accessible on Parliament's website, links to which you can find in Dr Rix's article below:
Their biographies written by #HistParl are now accessible on Parliament's website, links to which you can find in Dr Rix's article below:
MPs and the Second World War - The History of Parliament
Ahead of Remembrance Day, and with 2025 marking 80 years since the end of the Second World War, Dr Kathryn Rix, Assistant Editor of our House of Commons,
historyofparliament.com
November 11, 2025 at 8:30 AM
In our latest article, Dr Kathryn Rix has looked at the 23 MPs commemorated in the Commons chamber who died during the Second World War.
Their biographies written by #HistParl are now accessible on Parliament's website, links to which you can find in Dr Rix's article below:
Their biographies written by #HistParl are now accessible on Parliament's website, links to which you can find in Dr Rix's article below:
#OTD 1903 the Women's Social and Political Union was founded. Known as the Suffragettes, the WSPU used militant tactics to campaign for women's right to vote. Read @vicky_ig's 2018 article to find out how suffragettes interacted with Parliament.
A night in Parliament: Militant Suffragettes and Parliament - The History of Parliament
We are delighted to post this guest blog in our Women and Parliament series from one of the public historians who has been at the forefront of activities to
historyofparliament.com
November 10, 2025 at 12:30 PM
#OTD 1903 the Women's Social and Political Union was founded. Known as the Suffragettes, the WSPU used militant tactics to campaign for women's right to vote. Read @vicky_ig's 2018 article to find out how suffragettes interacted with Parliament.
Died #OTD 1867, William Wilshere.
In 1838, Wilshere was re-elected MP for Great Yarmouth. However, Wilshere had been nominated and elected without his knowledge or consent.
Find out more about his career below:
victoriancommons.wordpress.com/2020/12/16/e...
In 1838, Wilshere was re-elected MP for Great Yarmouth. However, Wilshere had been nominated and elected without his knowledge or consent.
Find out more about his career below:
victoriancommons.wordpress.com/2020/12/16/e...
Elected without his consent: William Wilshere (1804-67) and the venal electors of Great Yarmouth
The huge financial cost of Victorian elections, especially in venal constituencies, has been a recurrent theme in some of our more recent blogs. It’s tempting to think of the MPs associated w…
victoriancommons.wordpress.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Died #OTD 1867, William Wilshere.
In 1838, Wilshere was re-elected MP for Great Yarmouth. However, Wilshere had been nominated and elected without his knowledge or consent.
Find out more about his career below:
victoriancommons.wordpress.com/2020/12/16/e...
In 1838, Wilshere was re-elected MP for Great Yarmouth. However, Wilshere had been nominated and elected without his knowledge or consent.
Find out more about his career below:
victoriancommons.wordpress.com/2020/12/16/e...
In November 1867, Lily Maxwell, a Manchester shopkeeper, voted in a parliamentary by-election.
But how was she able to vote in an election more than fifty years before the partial enfranchisement of women in 1918? Dr Kathryn Rix explains:
But how was she able to vote in an election more than fifty years before the partial enfranchisement of women in 1918? Dr Kathryn Rix explains:
‘A woman actually voted!’: Lily Maxwell and the Manchester by-election of November 1867 - The History of Parliament
More than half a century before the partial enfranchisement of women in 1918, Lily Maxwell, a Manchester shopkeeper, cast a parliamentary vote. Dr Kathryn Rix
historyofparliament.com
November 9, 2025 at 11:00 AM
In November 1867, Lily Maxwell, a Manchester shopkeeper, voted in a parliamentary by-election.
But how was she able to vote in an election more than fifty years before the partial enfranchisement of women in 1918? Dr Kathryn Rix explains:
But how was she able to vote in an election more than fifty years before the partial enfranchisement of women in 1918? Dr Kathryn Rix explains:
In November 1290, Eleanor of Castile, queen consort of Edward I, died.
12 monuments were erected - the Eleanor crosses - along the route of her funeral procession, which later in the 1600s became a controversial focus for iconoclasts:
12 monuments were erected - the Eleanor crosses - along the route of her funeral procession, which later in the 1600s became a controversial focus for iconoclasts:
‘The Downe-fall of Dagon’: the post-Reformation campaign against Cheapside Cross - The History of Parliament
The recent trend of attacks on statues with uncomfortable moral or historical associations is nothing new; Dr Paul Hunneyball of our Lords 1558-1603 project
historyofparliament.com
November 7, 2025 at 3:31 PM
In November 1290, Eleanor of Castile, queen consort of Edward I, died.
12 monuments were erected - the Eleanor crosses - along the route of her funeral procession, which later in the 1600s became a controversial focus for iconoclasts:
12 monuments were erected - the Eleanor crosses - along the route of her funeral procession, which later in the 1600s became a controversial focus for iconoclasts:
Died #OTD 1642, Henry Montagu, 1st Earl of Manchester. MP from 1593 to 1614 and Lord High Treasurer 1620-1621. A renowned lawyer, he is best remembered as the judge that sentenced Sir Walter Raleigh to death in 1618.
historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1604-...
historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1604-...
November 7, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Died #OTD 1642, Henry Montagu, 1st Earl of Manchester. MP from 1593 to 1614 and Lord High Treasurer 1620-1621. A renowned lawyer, he is best remembered as the judge that sentenced Sir Walter Raleigh to death in 1618.
historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1604-...
historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1604-...
Ahead of Remembrance Day this Sunday, and with 2025 marking 80 years since the end of the Second World War, Dr Kathryn Rix has looked at the 23 MPs commemorated in the Commons chamber who died during the Second World War: historyofparliament.com/2025/11/07/m...
MPs and the Second World War - The History of Parliament
Ahead of Remembrance Day, and with 2025 marking 80 years since the end of the Second World War, Dr Kathryn Rix, Assistant Editor of our House of Commons,
historyofparliament.com
November 7, 2025 at 10:42 AM
Ahead of Remembrance Day this Sunday, and with 2025 marking 80 years since the end of the Second World War, Dr Kathryn Rix has looked at the 23 MPs commemorated in the Commons chamber who died during the Second World War: historyofparliament.com/2025/11/07/m...
Born #OTD 1754, John Lemon.
MP for West Looe, Saltash, and then Truro. Francis Basset, 1st Baron De Dunstanville said of Lemon: "though I have the highest regard for Lemon and know his many valuable qualities, he is the strangest politician I ever knew":
Find out why:
buff.ly/yMRQpQx
MP for West Looe, Saltash, and then Truro. Francis Basset, 1st Baron De Dunstanville said of Lemon: "though I have the highest regard for Lemon and know his many valuable qualities, he is the strangest politician I ever knew":
Find out why:
buff.ly/yMRQpQx
November 6, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Born #OTD 1754, John Lemon.
MP for West Looe, Saltash, and then Truro. Francis Basset, 1st Baron De Dunstanville said of Lemon: "though I have the highest regard for Lemon and know his many valuable qualities, he is the strangest politician I ever knew":
Find out why:
buff.ly/yMRQpQx
MP for West Looe, Saltash, and then Truro. Francis Basset, 1st Baron De Dunstanville said of Lemon: "though I have the highest regard for Lemon and know his many valuable qualities, he is the strangest politician I ever knew":
Find out why:
buff.ly/yMRQpQx
Reposted by History of Parliament
Died #OnThisDay 1884 Henry Fawcett, the first completely blind MP. He sat as a Liberal for Brighton 1865-74, & Hackney 1874-84. For more on him & the wife, the leading suffragist, Millicent Garrett Fawcett, see our earlier post: victoriancommons.wordpress.com/2018/07/19/m...
MP of the Month: Henry Fawcett (1833-84)
Continuing our recent focus on the personalities and campaigns associated with ‘votes for women’, our MP of the Month highlights the remarkable career of Henry Fawcett, husband of the leading suffr…
victoriancommons.wordpress.com
November 6, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Died #OnThisDay 1884 Henry Fawcett, the first completely blind MP. He sat as a Liberal for Brighton 1865-74, & Hackney 1874-84. For more on him & the wife, the leading suffragist, Millicent Garrett Fawcett, see our earlier post: victoriancommons.wordpress.com/2018/07/19/m...
Today marks 111 years since the first Member of Parliament was killed in action during the First World War.
Head to the #HistParl website to read our short biography of Captain Arthur O'Neill, MP for Mid Antrim.
Head to the #HistParl website to read our short biography of Captain Arthur O'Neill, MP for Mid Antrim.
‘The first M.P. to fall’: the Hon. Arthur Edward Bruce O’Neill (1876-1914) - The History of Parliament
Over the next four years, we'll be blogging short biographies of the MPs who died fighting in the First World War. Dr Kathryn Rix, of the Victorian Commons,
historyofparliament.com
November 6, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Today marks 111 years since the first Member of Parliament was killed in action during the First World War.
Head to the #HistParl website to read our short biography of Captain Arthur O'Neill, MP for Mid Antrim.
Head to the #HistParl website to read our short biography of Captain Arthur O'Neill, MP for Mid Antrim.
Many will be awaking this morning after an evening of fireworks and festivities.
However, as Dr Robin Eagles has explored, on the centenery of the Glorious Revolution, the 4th and 5th November were eyed for a different lasting memorial:
historyofparliament.com/2025/11/06/c...
However, as Dr Robin Eagles has explored, on the centenery of the Glorious Revolution, the 4th and 5th November were eyed for a different lasting memorial:
historyofparliament.com/2025/11/06/c...
‘Confirmation of the People’s Rights’: commemorating the ‘Glorious Revolution’ of 1688 - The History of Parliament
For many, the beginning of November means the advent of longer nights as the year winds down to Christmas. Some may still enjoy attending firework displays
historyofparliament.com
November 6, 2025 at 9:41 AM
Many will be awaking this morning after an evening of fireworks and festivities.
However, as Dr Robin Eagles has explored, on the centenery of the Glorious Revolution, the 4th and 5th November were eyed for a different lasting memorial:
historyofparliament.com/2025/11/06/c...
However, as Dr Robin Eagles has explored, on the centenery of the Glorious Revolution, the 4th and 5th November were eyed for a different lasting memorial:
historyofparliament.com/2025/11/06/c...
How was the #GunpowderPlot foiled back in 1605?
In this #HistParl article, Dr Ben Coates explores the warning letter sent to a Catholic peer that led to the plot's undoing... #BonfireNight
In this #HistParl article, Dr Ben Coates explores the warning letter sent to a Catholic peer that led to the plot's undoing... #BonfireNight
Catholic peers and the Gunpowder Plot - The History of Parliament
Today we hear from Dr Ben Coates of the House of Lords 1604-29 Section about the warning of Catholic Peers before the Gunpowder Plot...
ow.ly
November 5, 2025 at 3:31 PM
How was the #GunpowderPlot foiled back in 1605?
In this #HistParl article, Dr Ben Coates explores the warning letter sent to a Catholic peer that led to the plot's undoing... #BonfireNight
In this #HistParl article, Dr Ben Coates explores the warning letter sent to a Catholic peer that led to the plot's undoing... #BonfireNight
It is #BonfireNight 🎆 and many of you will be celebrating the uncovering of the #GunpowderPlot. But do you know who the brains behind this plot was? Maybe it was Guy Fawkes or maybe someone a little less well known... Find out here:
TikTok - Make Your Day
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November 5, 2025 at 1:30 PM
It is #BonfireNight 🎆 and many of you will be celebrating the uncovering of the #GunpowderPlot. But do you know who the brains behind this plot was? Maybe it was Guy Fawkes or maybe someone a little less well known... Find out here:
1/ With today's #BonfireNight celebrations, we are fittingly looking at the historic constituency of Lewes. Represented since the 1295 Model Parliament, Lewes is not only home to major political events, but also a unique tradition of bonfire celebrations. 🎆
November 5, 2025 at 11:30 AM
1/ With today's #BonfireNight celebrations, we are fittingly looking at the historic constituency of Lewes. Represented since the 1295 Model Parliament, Lewes is not only home to major political events, but also a unique tradition of bonfire celebrations. 🎆
On 11 November, Steven Spencer of Birkbeck, University of London, will be speaking at the next IHR Parliaments, Politics & People Seminar, where he will be presenting on 'The campaign to pass the Criminal Law Amendment Bill'
Find out more about his paper and how to attend below:
buff.ly/OTB2wDo
Find out more about his paper and how to attend below:
buff.ly/OTB2wDo
'Abominable, unutterable, and worse than fables': the campaign to pass the Criminal Law Amendment Bill - The History of Parliament
Steven Spencer of Birkbeck, University of London, will be discussing the campaign to pass the 1885 Criminal Law Amendment Act.
historyofparliament.com
November 5, 2025 at 10:31 AM
On 11 November, Steven Spencer of Birkbeck, University of London, will be speaking at the next IHR Parliaments, Politics & People Seminar, where he will be presenting on 'The campaign to pass the Criminal Law Amendment Bill'
Find out more about his paper and how to attend below:
buff.ly/OTB2wDo
Find out more about his paper and how to attend below:
buff.ly/OTB2wDo
#OTD 1605, Guy Fawkes was found in the cellars below the House of Lords chamber. He and fellow conspirators had planned to detonate 36 barrels of gunpowder at the State Opening of Parliament on 5 November. Find out about the men who caught Fawkes here👇
Apprehending Guy Fawkes, with the help of his garters - The History of Parliament
As the country prepares for Bonfire Night, we take a look at the two men, both MPs, who caught Guy Fawkes with 36 barrels of gunpowder…
ow.ly
November 4, 2025 at 10:30 AM
#OTD 1605, Guy Fawkes was found in the cellars below the House of Lords chamber. He and fellow conspirators had planned to detonate 36 barrels of gunpowder at the State Opening of Parliament on 5 November. Find out about the men who caught Fawkes here👇
Reposted by History of Parliament
Come and say hello to the #HistParl team at History Day next week! We're excited to talk about our research and catch up with new and old friends working in the sector.
Find out more via @ihr.bsky.social #HistDay25
Find out more via @ihr.bsky.social #HistDay25
1 week to go until History Day - don't forget to sign up! Read about why History Day is such a fantastic event in this blog by Claire Langhamer: buff.ly/ySfBuWR
#HistDay25 @senatehouselib.bsky.social
#HistDay25 @senatehouselib.bsky.social
October 30, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Come and say hello to the #HistParl team at History Day next week! We're excited to talk about our research and catch up with new and old friends working in the sector.
Find out more via @ihr.bsky.social #HistDay25
Find out more via @ihr.bsky.social #HistDay25
#OTD 1839, government forces and Welsh Chartists clashed during the Newport Rising, now remembered as an iconic moment in the struggle for democratic rights in Britain. Find out more via Dr Philip Salmon's #HistParl article from 2019.
Parliament versus the People: the Newport rising of 1839 - The History of Parliament
Today marks the 180th anniversary of the Newport rising when government forces and Welsh Chartists clashed in the town of Newport. Here's Dr Philip Salmon,
historyofparliament.com
November 4, 2025 at 8:30 AM
#OTD 1761, Sir John Cust was elected Speaker of the House of Commons.
Traditionally MPs feign their reluctance for the post when appointed Speaker, however Cust's objections to taking the chair may not have been faked...
Find out more here:
historyofparliament.com/2022/04/26/s...
Traditionally MPs feign their reluctance for the post when appointed Speaker, however Cust's objections to taking the chair may not have been faked...
Find out more here:
historyofparliament.com/2022/04/26/s...
‘Why not you?’ Sir John Cust, reluctant Speaker of the House of Commons - The History of Parliament
It is one of Westminster's many traditions that, when an MP is elected to the role of Speaker of the House of Commons, they must show reluctance to accept the
historyofparliament.com
November 3, 2025 at 2:56 PM
#OTD 1761, Sir John Cust was elected Speaker of the House of Commons.
Traditionally MPs feign their reluctance for the post when appointed Speaker, however Cust's objections to taking the chair may not have been faked...
Find out more here:
historyofparliament.com/2022/04/26/s...
Traditionally MPs feign their reluctance for the post when appointed Speaker, however Cust's objections to taking the chair may not have been faked...
Find out more here:
historyofparliament.com/2022/04/26/s...
Born #OTD 1934, Kenneth Baker, Baron Baker of Dorking, Conservative MP for multiple constitutences from 1968 to 1997 and Home Secretary under John Major. He also participated in our #OralHistory project in 2012. www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/oral-...
www.historyofparliamentonline.org
November 3, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Born #OTD 1934, Kenneth Baker, Baron Baker of Dorking, Conservative MP for multiple constitutences from 1968 to 1997 and Home Secretary under John Major. He also participated in our #OralHistory project in 2012. www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/oral-...
Born #OTD 1470, Edward V.
The accession of the young Edward to the throne in April 1483 occurred after the passing of his father Edward IV. However, as Dr Hannes Kleineke explores, only two months later he would be deposed:
The accession of the young Edward to the throne in April 1483 occurred after the passing of his father Edward IV. However, as Dr Hannes Kleineke explores, only two months later he would be deposed:
Almost a Parliament: Edward V's assembly of 25 June 1483 - The History of Parliament
The death of Edward IV on 9 April 1483 saw the accession of his son Edward V to the English throne. However, as Dr Hannes Kleineke of our Commons 1461-1504
historyofparliament.com
November 2, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Born #OTD 1470, Edward V.
The accession of the young Edward to the throne in April 1483 occurred after the passing of his father Edward IV. However, as Dr Hannes Kleineke explores, only two months later he would be deposed:
The accession of the young Edward to the throne in April 1483 occurred after the passing of his father Edward IV. However, as Dr Hannes Kleineke explores, only two months later he would be deposed:
Born #OTD 1923, James Ramsden, Conservative MP for Harrogate, 1954 to 1974, and the last person to hold the position of Secretary of State for War. In 2012 he participated in our #OralHistory project: www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/oral-...
November 1, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Born #OTD 1923, James Ramsden, Conservative MP for Harrogate, 1954 to 1974, and the last person to hold the position of Secretary of State for War. In 2012 he participated in our #OralHistory project: www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/oral-...
Died #OTD 1854, Benjamin Rotch, Whig MP for Knaresborough, 1832-1835.
His brief time in Parliament was just one part of an eclectic life and career that included the Nantucket whaling industry, patent law, prison reform, and even a threatened duel :
His brief time in Parliament was just one part of an eclectic life and career that included the Nantucket whaling industry, patent law, prison reform, and even a threatened duel :
From patent laws and prison reform to a threatened duel: the intriguing life of Benjamin Rotch MP - The History of Parliament
Untangling the eclectic career of Benjamin Rotch (1793-1854), Whig MP for Knaresborough, 1832-5, proved to be an extremely interesting piece of research for
historyofparliament.com
October 31, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Died #OTD 1854, Benjamin Rotch, Whig MP for Knaresborough, 1832-1835.
His brief time in Parliament was just one part of an eclectic life and career that included the Nantucket whaling industry, patent law, prison reform, and even a threatened duel :
His brief time in Parliament was just one part of an eclectic life and career that included the Nantucket whaling industry, patent law, prison reform, and even a threatened duel :
The Hellfire Club - a lively social club, or a place for devil worship?
With prominent members such as John Wilkes and Sir Francis Dashwood, this #Halloween we are exploring what exactly happened at these meetings at Medmenham Abbey 👇
With prominent members such as John Wilkes and Sir Francis Dashwood, this #Halloween we are exploring what exactly happened at these meetings at Medmenham Abbey 👇
TikTok - Make Your Day
www.tiktok.com
October 31, 2025 at 8:30 AM
The Hellfire Club - a lively social club, or a place for devil worship?
With prominent members such as John Wilkes and Sir Francis Dashwood, this #Halloween we are exploring what exactly happened at these meetings at Medmenham Abbey 👇
With prominent members such as John Wilkes and Sir Francis Dashwood, this #Halloween we are exploring what exactly happened at these meetings at Medmenham Abbey 👇
Come and say hello to the #HistParl team at History Day next week! We're excited to talk about our research and catch up with new and old friends working in the sector.
Find out more via @ihr.bsky.social #HistDay25
Find out more via @ihr.bsky.social #HistDay25
1 week to go until History Day - don't forget to sign up! Read about why History Day is such a fantastic event in this blog by Claire Langhamer: buff.ly/ySfBuWR
#HistDay25 @senatehouselib.bsky.social
#HistDay25 @senatehouselib.bsky.social
October 30, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Come and say hello to the #HistParl team at History Day next week! We're excited to talk about our research and catch up with new and old friends working in the sector.
Find out more via @ihr.bsky.social #HistDay25
Find out more via @ihr.bsky.social #HistDay25