Georgian Lords
This collection highlights the ongoing research of our House of Lords 1660-1832 section, specifically investigating the House of Lords in the early Georgian period.
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John London: Britain’s First Black Voter?
At first glance, the 1749 Westminster constituency by-election does not seem to warrant too much attention, with the incumbent, Viscount…
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The day Parliament was invaded
In the summer of 1780 London, and several other cities across England, experienced some of the worst rioting they had…
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‘The most surprising instance of a change of fortune raised by a man himself’: the case of James Brydges, 1st duke of Chandos
In the latest blog for the Georgian Lords, Dr Charles Littleton, considers the career of the 1st duke of Chandos,…
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The Southwells – from administrators to an ancient peerage
In the latest blog for the Georgian Lords, Dr Stuart Handley charts the history of the Southwell family, from their…
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“Honest and essential service”: Henry Fox, Lord Holland, government fixer
Even in the 18th century, governments of all sorts relied on tough politicians who were willing to do the dirty…
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The rules governing lengths of parliaments in the 18th century
Despite all of the political events of recent years, the upcoming General Election is the first time that the nation…
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Two anniversaries, two impeachments and an election
In 2024 the tercentenaries of the deaths of two important 18th-century figures the fell within weeks of each other. Dr…
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Dissolving Parliament
Today, on 30 May 2024, Parliament will be formally dissolved following a ‘Dissolution proclamation’ from the King. This is the…
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Tory to Whig – or helping out the Family?
Historians J.B. Owen, J.H. Plumb, and Linda Colley have all alluded to the post-1714 drift of the Tories into the…
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Benjamin Franklin and the state of Britain in the time of Wilkes
A new series exploring Benjamin Franklin’s time in Europe launches on streaming services this month, but how did the American…
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Enter the Dragon: the education of Robert Harley
Robert Harley (1661-1724) was in his late 20s when he was first elected to Parliament as MP for Tregony in…
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‘Not voting at all’: the election of an imprisoned MP in 1769
2024 represents the 250th anniversary of John Wilkes’s re-election for Middlesex and election as Lord Mayor of London. It was…