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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‘Like herrings in a barrel’: the House of Commons chamber prior to 1834
When picturing the 19th-century Houses of Parliament, many people might think of the grand buildings designed by Charles Barry and…
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Marrying for the vote: the freedom-by-marriage franchise before 1832
Of all the bizarre voting qualifications in operation before 1832 – from potwallopers to burgage holders – one of the…
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Reappraising England’s reformed electoral map, 1832-1868: the impact of the 1832 Reform Act
Dr Martin Spychal, Senior Research Fellow on our House of Commons 1832-1868 Commons project, discuses the impact of the 1832…
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Who could vote? From potwallopers to ten-pounders: post-1832 franchises explained
Clarifying the workings of England’s historic electoral system, Philip Salmon examines who could vote following the changes made by the…
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The Speakership election of 1835
In this article Dr Kathryn Rix and Dr Martin Spychal of our House of Commons, 1832-1868 project discuss a pivotal…
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Sir Robert Peel and the modern Conservative party
Sir Robert Peel, twice Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (1834-35, 1841-46), entered Parliament at only 21 years of age.…
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Accessing Hansard online: a research guide
Hansard – the official record of what is said in Parliament – originated in the early 19th century. Our Commons…
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Votes for women before and after 1832
Continuing our series on the practical workings of the UK’s historic voting system, Philip Salmon of our House of Commons, 1832-1868…
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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,…