UK Parliamentary Archives

22/09/2021

Today marks 100 years since Margaret Wintringham was elected MP for Louth. She was the third women to ever be elected. A remarkable achievement especially since she chose not to speak during her election campaign. Find out more about her here, http://ow.ly/8ZAU50Gdy8U

Today marks 100 years since Margaret Wintringham was elected MP for Louth. She was the third women to ever be elected. A remarkable achievement especially since she chose not to speak during her election campaign. Find out more about her here, http://ow.ly/8ZAU50Gdy8U

22/09/2021

I’m sure many Coventry schoolchildren made the mandatory visit to Coombe Abbey (pictured below) located just outside the city. A place of much intrigue in centuries past & home for some years to Princess Elizabeth, who later became Queen of Bohemia. Coventry UK City of Culture 2021

I’m sure many Coventry schoolchildren made the mandatory visit to Coombe Abbey (pictured below) located just outside the city. A place of much intrigue in centuries past & home for some years to Princess Elizabeth, who later became Queen of Bohemia. Coventry UK City of Culture 2021

22/09/2021

National Fitness Day is upon us!! Now if you’re looking for a little inspiration, look no further than the good ladies of the post-war Bethnal Green Keep Fit Club pictured with their local MP, Percy Harris. National Fitness Day

National Fitness Day is upon us!! Now if you’re looking for a little inspiration, look no further than the good ladies of the post-war Bethnal Green Keep Fit Club pictured with their local MP, Percy Harris. National Fitness Day

21/09/2021

All roads are leading to Coventry with this month’s themed week celebrating their 2021 City of Culture festivities. Today we are taking you Coventrians back to 1642 with this original manuscript Protestation Return for the township & nearby Anstey. Coventry UK City of Culture 2021

All roads are leading to Coventry with this month’s themed week celebrating their 2021 City of Culture festivities. Today we are taking you Coventrians back to 1642 with this original manuscript Protestation Return for the township & nearby Anstey. Coventry UK City of Culture 2021

21/09/2021

Parliamentary Pioneers: Margaret Wintringham, the first Liberal Woman MP

On this day in 1921 Margaret Wintringham (1879-1955) was elected MP for Louth in Lincolnshire in a by-election, becoming the first ever Liberal woman MP. She was the third woman MP ever elected. You can learn more about Margaret here, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mc7V_PI5J0g

In this video made with the UK Parliamentary Archives and History of Parliament Trust we explore the life and career of Margaret Wintringham, the first Liber...

20/09/2021

For this month’s themed week, we are celebrating Coventry being the City of Culture 2021. To start proceedings here’s a 1953 plan based round the construction for the new Cathedral that was consecrated to great fanfare nine years later. Coventry UK City of Culture 2021 Coventry Cathedral

For this month’s themed week, we are celebrating Coventry being the City of Culture 2021. To start proceedings here’s a 1953 plan based round the construction for the new Cathedral that was consecrated to great fanfare nine years later. Coventry UK City of Culture 2021 Coventry Cathedral

18/09/2021

As its National Racehorse Week, its only right that we showcase a photograph of one of the sport’s most famous racing horse owners, Max Beaverbrook. Pictured here in his ‘top hat n tails’ with the Aga Khan III at The Derby in June 1927. Got any tips M ‘Lord?? ITV Racing

As its National Racehorse Week, its only right that we showcase a photograph of one of the sport’s most famous racing horse owners, Max Beaverbrook. Pictured here in his ‘top hat n tails’ with the Aga Khan III at The Derby in June 1927. Got any tips M ‘Lord?? ITV Racing

17/09/2021

Finishing off our Inside a Collection with a behind the scenes look at the Pugin & Barry letters. Featuring one of our Heritage Photographers, Tim Banting, hard at work photographing the letter collection for part of a Royal Gallery display back in 2016.

Finishing off our Inside a Collection with a behind the scenes look at the Pugin & Barry letters. Featuring one of our Heritage Photographers, Tim Banting, hard at work photographing the letter collection for part of a Royal Gallery display back in 2016.

16/09/2021

LGBT+ lives: the 1967 Sexual Offences Act

Join UK Parliament today at 6pm for a talk on the passing of the 1967 Sexual Offences Act over 50 years ago, exploring the implications of the Act and how it impacted the lives of those affected by it.
Book your free tickets now http://ow.ly/p9ry50Gbgv7

Performance dates and tickets for LGBT+ lives: the 1967 Sexual Offences Act

16/09/2021

Continuing our Inside a Collection of the letters between Pugin & Barry. This letter from 1847 was written whilst Pugin was on a trip in Venice! Excited and full of inspirations from his travels through Italy, Pugin encourages Barry to visit for himself.

Continuing our Inside a Collection of the letters between Pugin & Barry. This letter from 1847 was written whilst Pugin was on a trip in Venice! Excited and full of inspirations from his travels through Italy, Pugin encourages Barry to visit for himself.

15/09/2021

For today’s Inside a Collection look through Pugin & Barry’s letters, this letter from 1846 discussing the Prince of Wales throne design including some Pugin design doodles. They were mostly working on the design of the House of Lords Chamber and the Royal Throne.

For today’s Inside a Collection look through Pugin & Barry’s letters, this letter from 1846 discussing the Prince of Wales throne design including some Pugin design doodles. They were mostly working on the design of the House of Lords Chamber and the Royal Throne.

14/09/2021

On This Day in 1852 the architect and designer Augustus Pugin died. Continuing our Inside a Collection look trough Barry and Pugin’s letters. This letter is the earliest in the collection from 1844.

Find out more about Pugin and Barry's relationship on our blog http://ow.ly/nIIE50G7zpP

On This Day in 1852 the architect and designer Augustus Pugin died. Continuing our Inside a Collection look trough Barry and Pugin’s letters. This letter is the earliest in the collection from 1844.

Find out more about Pugin and Barry's relationship on our blog http://ow.ly/nIIE50G7zpP

13/09/2021

This months Inside a Collection is all about Pugin featuring this collection of letters between Pugin and Barry on the rebuilding of the Parliament building. This 1846 letter was written whilst Pugin was onboard a steamboat in the Irish Channel.

This months Inside a Collection is all about Pugin featuring this collection of letters between Pugin and Barry on the rebuilding of the Parliament building. This 1846 letter was written whilst Pugin was onboard a steamboat in the Irish Channel.

11/09/2021

Today marks the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the USA. Three days after the attacks Parliament was recalled and Prime Minister Tony Blair gave a speech in the House of Commons.

10/09/2021

100 years ago, the conservation community were celebrating the passing of the Importation of Plumage (Prohibition) Act that outlawed the use of exotic bird feathers to decorate ladies’ hats. A triumph for the RSPB after many hard years of campaigning. RSPB England RSPB Love Nature

100 years ago, the conservation community were celebrating the passing of the Importation of Plumage (Prohibition) Act that outlawed the use of exotic bird feathers to decorate ladies’ hats. A triumph for the RSPB after many hard years of campaigning. RSPB England RSPB Love Nature

09/09/2021

You may have read earlier this summer that the world’s rarest stamp the ‘British Guiana 1c Magenta’ (1865) will soon be on permanent display in the UK. The undoubted star of our more humble stamp collection is this 1965 Simon De Montfort inspired classic.

You may have read earlier this summer that the world’s rarest stamp the ‘British Guiana 1c Magenta’ (1865) will soon be on permanent display in the UK. The undoubted star of our more humble stamp collection is this 1965 Simon De Montfort inspired classic.

08/09/2021

Back in 2019, Turner Prize-winning artist Jeremy Deller's monument to the Peterloo Massacre was made public in Manchester. Below, the Six Acts quickly passed after Peterloo to reduce the chance of a second incident. Learn more here: http://ow.ly/xvAv50FQl0o #TowerArts

Back in 2019, Turner Prize-winning artist Jeremy Deller's monument to the Peterloo Massacre was made public in Manchester. Below, the Six Acts quickly passed after Peterloo to reduce the chance of a second incident. Learn more here: http://ow.ly/xvAv50FQl0o #TowerArts

07/09/2021

The 'Fetters and Roses' Dinner of 'Ex-Prisoner Members of Parliament' included former suffragettes, WW1 conscientious objectors and early female Labour MP Susan Lawrence, imprisoned in the Poplar Rates Protest. Learn more about Poplar here: http://ow.ly/Ovlt50FRExX #TowerEquality

The 'Fetters and Roses' Dinner of 'Ex-Prisoner Members of Parliament' included former suffragettes, WW1 conscientious objectors and early female Labour MP Susan Lawrence, imprisoned in the Poplar Rates Protest. Learn more about Poplar here: http://ow.ly/Ovlt50FRExX #TowerEquality

06/09/2021

Its National Read a Book Day!! To mark the occasion, we’ve explored the old adage that everyone ‘has a book in them’. Certainly, Horace King, former Speaker of the House did. He co-wrote ‘A Boy Called Horace’ which remained unpublished, but not a bad read indeed.

Its National Read a Book Day!! To mark the occasion, we’ve explored the old adage that everyone ‘has a book in them’. Certainly, Horace King, former Speaker of the House did. He co-wrote ‘A Boy Called Horace’ which remained unpublished, but not a bad read indeed.

04/09/2021

Today marks the first day of Open House London giving you the chance to explore the secrets of London. Parliament has plenty of its own little-known nooks and crannies, for example the crypt chapel of St Mary Undercroft beautifully captured here in 1905. Open House London

Today marks the first day of Open House London giving you the chance to explore the secrets of London. Parliament has plenty of its own little-known nooks and crannies, for example the crypt chapel of St Mary Undercroft beautifully captured here in 1905. Open House London

03/09/2021

On This Day in 1939 Britain, alongside France, officially declared war on Germany, marking the beginning of World War Two. From our collection, this photograph of a selection from the Palace of Westminster Home Guard.

On This Day in 1939 Britain, alongside France, officially declared war on Germany, marking the beginning of World War Two. From our collection, this photograph of a selection from the Palace of Westminster Home Guard.

02/09/2021

#OTD in 1666 the Great Fire of London began, lasting just under 5 days. Two weeks later King Charles II spoke in the Lords "Little Time hath passed, since we were almost in Despair of having this Place left us to meet in: You see the dismal Ruins the Fire hath made..." #TowerRex

#OTD in 1666 the Great Fire of London began, lasting just under 5 days. Two weeks later King Charles II spoke in the Lords "Little Time hath passed, since we were almost in Despair of having this Place left us to meet in: You see the dismal Ruins the Fire hath made..." #TowerRex

01/09/2021

Earlier this month the new Scottish £50 note went into circulation. It features a portrait of Victorian education reformer, Flora Stevenson. From our collections, a note of an 1871 petition sent to Parliament from Stevenson & sister Eliza in favour of the Women’s Disabilities Bill. National Library of Scotland

Earlier this month the new Scottish £50 note went into circulation. It features a portrait of Victorian education reformer, Flora Stevenson. From our collections, a note of an 1871 petition sent to Parliament from Stevenson & sister Eliza in favour of the Women’s Disabilities Bill. National Library of Scotland

31/08/2021

Ahh the eighties a simpler time when the graphics used in promotional campaigns & videos really were something to celebrate…Highlighted by this superb ‘Work of an MP’ poster from the era which I’m sure was on the teenage bedroom wall of many an aspiring politician!

Ahh the eighties a simpler time when the graphics used in promotional campaigns & videos really were something to celebrate…Highlighted by this superb ‘Work of an MP’ poster from the era which I’m sure was on the teenage bedroom wall of many an aspiring politician!

30/08/2021

The death of Queen Anne in August 1714 saw the issue of succession rear its head. Throwing his hat into the ring with this declaration was James Stuart, son of King James II. Hereditary rights were the order of the day from the man later known as ‘The Old Pretender’.

The death of Queen Anne in August 1714 saw the issue of succession rear its head. Throwing his hat into the ring with this declaration was James Stuart, son of King James II. Hereditary rights were the order of the day from the man later known as ‘The Old Pretender’.

27/08/2021

For our inaugural 'Random Friday' feature, here's a lovely charcoal portrait from the Parliamentary Press Gallery collections. The portrait is entitled 'The Demagogue', attributed to J Jellen #TowerRandoms

For our inaugural 'Random Friday' feature, here's a lovely charcoal portrait from the Parliamentary Press Gallery collections. The portrait is entitled 'The Demagogue', attributed to J Jellen #TowerRandoms

26/08/2021

It's National Dog Day! Pictured here is Alexander Gordon-Lennox with some adorable pooches from our Pudsey Photographic Collection. Alexander Gordon-Lennox was Serjeant at Arms from 1962 until 1976 #TowerCelebrates

It's National Dog Day! Pictured here is Alexander Gordon-Lennox with some adorable pooches from our Pudsey Photographic Collection. Alexander Gordon-Lennox was Serjeant at Arms from 1962 until 1976 #TowerCelebrates

25/08/2021

In August 1641, this House of Lords Journal from our collection records the punishment of John Brookes for printing a scandalous ballad against the Queen Mother. Brookes was to be imprisoned in the notorious Fleet Prison and the ballad was to be burned. #TowerJewels

In August 1641, this House of Lords Journal from our collection records the punishment of John Brookes for printing a scandalous ballad against the Queen Mother. Brookes was to be imprisoned in the notorious Fleet Prison and the ballad was to be burned. #TowerJewels

24/08/2021

On This Day 1872; the writer & caricaturist Max #Beerbohm was born. Though a man of letters it was his caricatures of society figures that gained him most notoriety. Former Prime Minister, Andrew Bonar-Law was a big fan. Here’s some Beerbohm ‘sorties’ from our BL collection.

On This Day 1872; the writer & caricaturist Max #Beerbohm was born. Though a man of letters it was his caricatures of society figures that gained him most notoriety. Former Prime Minister, Andrew Bonar-Law was a big fan. Here’s some Beerbohm ‘sorties’ from our BL collection.

23/08/2021

Let’s go back to August 1980 when David Bowie had the UK No 1 record with the utterly stupendous ‘Ashes to Ashes’. Its video featuring ‘New Romantic’ legend Steve Strange was filmed in parts at Pett Level near Hastings – thus we give you a 1914 plan of their pier!! David Bowie

Let’s go back to August 1980 when David Bowie had the UK No 1 record with the utterly stupendous ‘Ashes to Ashes’. Its video featuring ‘New Romantic’ legend Steve Strange was filmed in parts at Pett Level near Hastings – thus we give you a 1914 plan of their pier!! David Bowie

23/08/2021

Today is International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition. The 1833 Slavery Abolition Act (1833) abolished slavery throughout the most of the British Empire and compensated "Persons hitherto entitled to the Services of such Slaves" #TowerCommemorates

Today is International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition. The 1833 Slavery Abolition Act (1833) abolished slavery throughout the most of the British Empire and compensated "Persons hitherto entitled to the Services of such Slaves" #TowerCommemorates

22/08/2021

On This Day in 1642 the English Civil War officially began. From our collection, this 1642 House of Lords journal with a message from King Charles I to both Houses of Parliament. The message was sent from Nottingham, where the King raised the Royal Standard & declared war.

On This Day in 1642 the English Civil War officially began. From our collection, this 1642 House of Lords journal with a message from King Charles I to both Houses of Parliament. The message was sent from Nottingham, where the King raised the Royal Standard & declared war.