History Of Parliament

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#OTD 1603, James VI of Scotland was crowned king of England, where he reigned as James I. 👑 In 1617 he celebrated his Golden jubilee as the Scottish king, however his royal visit back to Scotland turned into a very costly and time consuming affair: thehistoryofparliament.wordpress.com/2022/06/02/the…

On the anniversary of Swynfen Jervis’s return for Bridport in 1837, #HistParl's Dr Philip Salmon explores the career of this ‘eccentric’ MP, focusing on the way in which he defied the Whig-Liberal government in 1839: historyofparliament.com/2025/07/25/swy…

#OTD 1469, the Battle of Edgcote took place, a significant battle in the Wars of the Roses. Dr Simon Payling explored the most decisive factor in the outcome of the battle, William Herbert, earl of Pembroke, and his failed leadership: historyofparliament.com/2021/07/22/bat…

In July 1653, the Barebones Parliament was assembled. The 'Nominated Assembly' as it was also known, was summoned by Oliver Cromwell to take on 'supreme authority and government of this commonwealth'. Cromwell was installed as Lord Protector by December. buff.ly/LA7nS4W

#OTD 1706 the details of the Treaty of Union were agreed, paving the way for the political union of England and Scotland, and the creation of the new state of Great Britain in May 1707. Find out more about the journey from treaty to political union, here: buff.ly/Y2X9KK4

Died #OTD 1796, Robert Burns, celebrated Scottish poet. Earlier in the year Dr Charles Littleton explored the role that a handful of Scottish nobles had in installing Burns as the national bard: historyofparliament.com/2025/02/04/rob…

#OTD 1403, Henry IV defeated a rebel army led by Henry 'Hotspur' Percy at the battle of Shrewsbury. In a new article for #HistParl, Dr Simon Payling explores the background and significance of the battle. historyofparliament.com/2025/07/21/bat…

Born #OTD 1601, Robert Wallop, MP for Hampshire, Andover, and Whitchurch. He was a staunch supporter of Parliament during the Civil War. Although he did not sign Charles I's death warrant, he was condemned as a regicide and died in the Tower of London: buff.ly/NnkyPz5

#OTD 1553 Lady Jane Grey's nine day reign ended when the Privy Council declared their support for Princess Mary. One of the most prominent MPs to support Jane's claim to the throne was John Gates. Find out more about Gates here: historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1509-15…

In July 1841, Joseph Holdsworth was elected as an MP for Wakefield. Yet only 9 months later he was out of Parliament, unseated by an election petition. Dr Kathryn Rix explores the peculiar reason why he lost his seat: historyofparliament.com/2025/04/18/jos…

One consequence of the 1872 Ballot Act was the so-called 'Plumper Problem', around the casting of votes in mutli-member constituencies, as Dr Philip Salmon also explores. historyofparliament.com/2025/07/18/the…

#OTD The 1872 Ballot Act introduced the requirement for parliamentary elections to be held by secret ballot. It also ended the often unruly system of public nominations, and had some other unintended consequences too, as Dr Philip Salmon explains: historyofparliament.com/2025/07/18/pub…

This week we released a special episode of our podcast 'Tales from the Green Benches'! Recorded in front of a live audience, listen to hosts Emma, Alex and special guests reflect on the #HistParl oral history project, where ever you get your podcasts! buff.ly/4cEbkSI

Died #OTD 1845 Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey, Prime Minister 1830-1834. Grey's ministry oversaw a period of significant reform, including the 1832 #ReformAct. We profiled Grey's reform politics on our YouTube channel. Watch it here 👇👇 youtu.be/aDcBGcvr-us

#OTD 1377, Richard II was crowned as King of England at ten years old. As Dr Simon Payling explored, the preparations for his coronation were fraught with questions of hereditary roles and who were to perform the ceremonial functions at the coronation: historyofparliament.com/2023/04/20/pre…

Died #OTD 2019, Michael English. Labour MP for Nottingham West from 1964 to 1983, he campaigned against Britain's entry into the EEC, and for the televising of debates in Parliament. historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/oral-hi…

In July 1958 Life Peerages Act was passed. Announcing the creation of the first life peers, this act also allowed women to sit in the House of Lords for the first time. Dr Duncan Sutherland explores the experiences of the first four women life peers: buff.ly/jAREsQR

In the latest article for #HistParl, Dr Patrick Little explores the strange life and career of Francis, Lord Deincourt, and his destructive obsession with money. historyofparliament.com/2025/07/14/fra…