Big Ben: The fascinating story of the creation one of Britain’s most enduring symbols
On the night of October 16, 1834 a fire tore through the Palace of Westminster destroying the houses of Parliament. Ten years later,...
“What About the Rentiers?”: The Formation of the National Government (1931), Part 1
The formation of the National Government in August 1931 remains one of the more controversial issues in Labour Party and 20th Century British political...
How To Marry An English Lord: The Uniting of British Lords and American Heiresses
Winston Churchill was, among other things, an accomplished historian and writer, writing several books during his lifetime. Four of these: his four-volume A History...
Lloyd George’s “People’s Budget,” and the Parliamentary Act of 1911, Part 1
In December 1905, James Balfour, the Conservative prime minister (PM), suddenly resigned. (1) King Edward VII called upon Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman, the Leader of...
Waity Katie Not the Only Royal to Wait
Much has been said about Kate Middleton waiting so long for Prince William to finally pop the question, but other royals have shown equal...
Women in the 19th Century – Life in Regency England, Part 1: Society
Life in high society during the Regency was a glamorous round of balls and parties, governed by strict rules of etiquette. Members of society,...
The Macabre Execution of the Duke of Monmouth
On July 15, 1685 the illegitimate son of King Charles II was beheaded in one of the more gruesome executions ever to take place...
The Conscience of His Generation: George Lansbury, Pacifism, and the 1930s
There seldom has been a more committed idealist in British politics than George Lansbury. He once wrote that he sympathized with "...those who stand...
“A Prophet Before Her Time:” Beatrice Potter Webb, Part 3: The Aftermath, 1909-1947
In late 1908, Beatrice began writing her landmark Minority Report. In it she wrote that people became poor
...from a variety of causes, from old...
Lloyd George’s “People’s Budget,” and the Parliamentary Act of 1911, Part 2
As a result, Parliament was dissolved and the General Election was set for January 1910. The Liberals, before the crisis somewhat divided, went to...