Parliamentary Life
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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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The poetic memorialization of late-medieval MPs
Producing biographies on late-medieval MPs comes with its unique set of challenges, notably the lack surviving records indicative of their…
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Politics, popular celebration and the Trojan War
The recent release of Christopher Nolan’s latest epic, The Odyssey, has sparked debate in many quarters for its depiction of…
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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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How does an MP resign? The Chiltern Hundreds & the Manor of Northstead
Have you just heard that an MP has resigned by ‘taking the Chiltern Hundreds’? Our Senior Research Fellow, Dr Martin…
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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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Correcting the record: conciliation and reconciliation over America in 1776
Just a few months before the Declaration of Independence, last minute efforts were made to reconcile Britain and the American…
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Lineage and Architectural Display: the ‘Golden Chapel’ at Tong (Shropshire) and the Commemoration of Sir Henry Vernon, governor of the household of Prince Arthur
Dr Simon Payling of our 1461-1504 section explores the life and remembrance of MP for Derbyshire Sir Henry Vernon, and his family’s enduring…
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‘The strangest bill that ever I heard…’: Bishop Joseph Hall, the Church of England and the Long Parliament, 1640-1642
Dr Vivienne Larminie explores the political career of one of the most influential mid-seventeenth century bishops As the House of…
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Special Episode live from the Houses of Parliament
Live Episode: Tales from the Green Benches: An Oral History of Parliament On 4 June 2025 the History of Parliament…
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The Political is Personal
Episode 6: Tales from the Green Benches: An Oral History of Parliament One point that all of our oral history…
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Historically Underepresented MPs
Episode 5: Tales from the Green Benches: An Oral History of Parliament During much of the twentieth century, the stereotypical…