Victorian Commons
This collection of articles highlights the ongoing research of our House of Commons 1832-1868 section, investigating the United Kingdom’s political system between the first and second Reform Acts. Check out their website for more articles on th period.
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Quakers in the Commons: Joseph Pease and the right to affirm
Taking their seat in the Commons can be a nervous moment for new MPs, but for the Quaker Joseph Pease…
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Prime Ministers in the House of Lords
The retirement of Lord Salisbury in 1902 marked the end of the last premiership undertaken from the House of Lords,…
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The ‘Bifrons Purse’: Elizabeth, Marchioness Conyngham and aristocratic women’s participation in nineteenth-century elections
Drawing on her research into Canterbury for the House of Commons, 1832-1868 project, our research fellow Dr Naomi Lloyd-Jones explores…
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How many people could vote in the UK after the 1832 Reform Act?
As part of our series of ‘explainer’ articles, aimed at clarifying the workings of the United Kingdom’s historic political system,…
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Reporting debates in the Victorian Commons
Today we take it for granted that parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. During the Victorian era, however, there was…
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Happy New Year from the Victorian Commons for 2026!
Here’s wishing all our readers a very enjoyable New Year! 2025 was a particularly memorable year for our 1832-68 House…
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Peter McLagan senior (1774-1860): enslaver, plantation owner and landed proprietor
Dr Martin Spychal explores the life of Peter McLagan senior (1774-1860). A farmer’s son from Perthshire, McLagan senior acquired considerable…
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Cricket in the Commons: a Victorian First Eleven
With the 2025 Ashes between England and Australia getting underway this week, we have a cricketing themed post from our…
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The ladies’ gallery in the temporary House of Commons
This article from Dr Kathryn Rix, Assistant Editor of our House of Commons, 1832-1945 section, looks at the provision made for…
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The Westminster Fire of 1834
In this guest article, Dr Caroline Shenton, author of ‘The Day Parliament Burned Down‘ and ‘Mr Barry’s War: Rebuilding the…
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The 1832 Reform Act
‘Was the 1832 Reform Act “Great”?’ may not be the standard exam question it once was, but ongoing research about…
