In an age of social media and immediate news coverage, publicity opportunities have become a central part of political strategy- particularly in the run up to a General Election. But even in the 18th century politicians looked for ways to generate attention when on the campaign trail. Dr Robin Eagles, editor of our House of Lords 1715-1790 project, looks at some of these in the … Continue reading Political Grandstanding in the 18th Century
As many modern political parties announce their manifestos this week Dr Robin Eagles from our House of Lords 1715-1790 project looks back at the decisions around flagship policies that could make or break parties and alliances in the 18th century, as part of our Georgian Elections Project. Party manifestos as we know them today are largely a product of the post-1832 changes in the way … Continue reading To reform or not to reform: Party manifestos
Despite all of the political events of recent years, the upcoming General Election is the first time that the nation has gone to the polls since late 2019- nearly reaching the five year term limit, as determined by the Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act 2022. But the length of Parliaments hasn’t always been five years and in the 18th century the rules came under … Continue reading The rules governing lengths of parliaments in the 18th century
In 2024 the tercentenaries of the deaths of two important 18th-century figures the fell within weeks of each other. Dr Charles Littleton compares the contrasting careers of Robert Harley, earl of Oxford, and Dr Henry Sacheverell, who both suffered impeachment by Parliament Robert Harley, Speaker of the Commons, secretary of state, earl of Oxford and Earl Mortimer and, ultimately, lord treasurer and de facto leader … Continue reading Two anniversaries, two impeachments and an election
Historians J.B. Owen, J.H. Plumb, and Linda Colley have all alluded to the post-1714 drift of the Tories into the Whig party. One of the families particularly referenced was the Legges. In the latest blog for the Georgian Lords, Dr Stuart Handley demonstrates the family advantages of conforming to the prevailing political climate. In August 1714, the head of the Legge family was William, earl … Continue reading Tory to Whig – or helping out the Family?
A new series exploring Benjamin Franklin’s time in Europe launches on streaming services this month, but how did the American ‘Founding Father’ respond to the politics in Britain during the 1760s? In this blog Dr Robin Eagles, editor of our House of Lords 1715-1790 project, looks at Franklin’s opinion of the British political agitator John Wilkes- a man who divided not just his own nation… … Continue reading Benjamin Franklin and the state of Britain in the time of Wilkes
Robert Harley (1661-1724) was in his late 20s when he was first elected to Parliament as MP for Tregony in April 1689. He would remain a member of Parliament, first of the Commons and then of the Lords, for the rest of his life. Both his power and personal style was reflected in a number of nicknames: ‘Robin the Trickster’, ‘Harlequin’ and ‘the Dragon’ being … Continue reading Enter the Dragon: the education of Robert Harley
2024 represents the 250th anniversary of John Wilkes’s re-election for Middlesex and election as Lord Mayor of London. It was by any measure a remarkable achievement for a man who had been expelled from Parliament and imprisoned; but what of those who were so determined to cast their votes for someone Parliament deemed incapable of being elected? Dr Robin Eagles looks again at the Wilkes … Continue reading ‘Not voting at all’: the election of an imprisoned MP in 1769
Much attention has concentrated recently on the scandal surrounding the Post Office’s prosecutions of numerous sub-postmasters and -mistresses. The 18th-century Post Office was established and run on very different lines than that of today, but as Dr Charles Littleton shows, it too was not immune from scandal, parliamentary scrutiny, or partisan politics. The Post Office Act of 1711 had established a single Post Office for … Continue reading ‘A very good bed for old courtiers to rest in’: The 18th-century Post Office and its Postmasters-General
10 May 2023 marked the 300th anniversary of the death of William Cowper, Earl Cowper, a rarity among political lawyers in that he served two terms as lord chancellor. Currently, the History of Parliament has two published accounts of his career, one covering the period when he was a member of the House of Commons, and one covering the House of Lords under Queen Anne. … Continue reading “Get a haircut”Celebrating the career of Lord Chancellor Cowper
The History of Parliament 