The Biography of a Nation

Discover the lives, politics, and scandals of over 20,000 Members of Parliament. Tracing the evolution of British democracy from the medieval Commons to the 19th century.

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Unlocking
the Past

"The history of Parliament is, in a sense, the history of England itself."

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Welcome to the History of Parliament Online. We are a major academic project dedicated to creating a comprehensive biographical dictionary of the House of Commons and House of Lords. Our work encompasses the entirety of parliamentary history, from the earliest assemblies in the 13th century to the complex political machinery of the 19th century (1832).

This digital archive contains every biographical, constituency, and introductory survey article published in The History of Parliament series. While our printed volumes have adorned library shelves for decades, this online platform allows for dynamic searching and cross-referencing of data that was previously impossible.

Research

Access the published texts of the HOP series, covering 1386-1832.

Members Biographies
Constituency Histories

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Discover major events, themes, and curated articles by era.

Medieval Tudors Stuarts

Gallery

Visualizing the history of Parliament through art and illustration.

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Timeline

The Ages of Parliament

The Medieval Parliament

The origins of Parliament lie in the 13th century, evolving from the King's council into a representative body. By the late medieval period, the Commons had asserted its right to assent to taxation.

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The Tudors (1509-1603)

Under the Tudors, Parliament became a necessary partner in the religious and political upheavals of the Reformation. Henry VIII used statute law to break with Rome, inadvertently establishing the omnicompetence of the "King-in-Parliament."

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The Stuarts (1603-1714)

The defining century of British constitutional history. The struggle between Crown and Parliament erupted into Civil War, leading to the execution of Charles I and the brief experiment of the Republic.

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New Publication

House of Lords 1660-1715

The latest volumes from the History of Parliament, available from Cambridge University Press. This monumental work charts the Upper House during the formation of the first political parties and the rage of party conflict.

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Sir George Booth (1622-1684)

Member in Focus

The Architect of
Restoration?

Sir George Booth was a pivotal figure in the complex politics of the 17th century. A Presbyterian parliamentarian who fought against the King in the Civil War, he later became disillusioned with the Republic. In 1659, he led a rising in Cheshire intended to restore a free Parliament—and ultimately, the Monarchy.

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The Biography of a Nation