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Like many Victorian politicians of the era Earl Cadogan worked in town during the week but was very much 'Lord of the Manor' on the weekend. Participating in various country pursuits which included ‘Shooting Parties’. See his November 1887 Babraham/Cambridgeshire Card below.
Victoriana is the order of the day as ‘Inside a Collection’ delves into the papers of George, 5th Earl of Cadogan. This Parliamentarian was quite the man about town so of course he had connections to the Royals. Here’s an 1891 letter he received from Queen Victoria.
Music can be a great way to connect with history, new album Heal & Harrow by Scottish folk duo pays tribute to the 16th and 17th century Scottish witch trials. From our collection, this case from 1660 of Levingstone v Sterling which has accusations of witchcraft.
Liverpool face Chelsea in today’s FA Cup Final. Sadly, Aston Villa were knocked out early doors unlike in 1957 when they went all the way beating Manchester United’s ‘Busby Babes’. Cheered on by their Honorary President & biggest fan, Patrick Hannon MP! Aston Villa FC
This month we take a look at another person in our collection hall of fame, with social reformer Josephine Butler, who campaigned for women’s rights. Here is the record of a petition from Butler and the Vigilance Association in May 1872 to a jury of women.
Spencer Perceval took charitable giving, and his Christian faith, very seriously. This letter, to Perceval from Commons Speaker Charles Abbot, discusses Perceval's "Curates Bill" which aimed to give more rights and payments to lower-level members of the clergy.
This week we'll be exploring the life of Spencer Perceval, a lawyer, MP, Attorney-General, Chancellor, and eventual Prime Minister. When debating in Parliament, Perceval used this despatch box, engraved with George III's monogram. Find out more about Perceval's life at our blog:
http://ow.ly/RZz550IUksA
Today is the State Opening of Parliament. This ceremony has taken place for hundreds of years. From our collection, here's a photo of the Royal Procession at the 1909 State Opening.
George III made this speech to Parliament in 1760, shortly after he became King. Sadly, by the 1780s King George had developed a mental illness. Undiagnosed then and now, the illness affected him on and off for the rest of his life. Mental Health Foundation
It’s finally Friday! So, it’s time for a Random Friday pick from our collection. This small wartime bicycle lamp from 1940 was used by House of Commons Librarian, Strathearn Gordon. The lamp is hooded to deflect light downwards during blackouts.
Plaudits galore have been showered upon the Barbican’s latest exhibition ‘Post-War Modern’ exploring the period’s ground-breaking new art movement. But as this 1951 Hansard extract shows some Parliamentarians were not greatly enamoured by this change of guard! Barbican Centre