The Georgian Lords

@georgianlords

The History of Parliament's House of Lords 1660-1832 section, researching the history of the Lords, Parliament and society across the 'long 18th century'.

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The Georgian Lords@georgianlords· 18d

Shrewsbury, born #OnThisDay 1660, in the year of Charles II's restoration, was a key recruit to the Whigs and one of the few to get on well with William of Orange. He was later thought to have betrayed the cause by teaming up with Robert Harley to help form the 'great ministry'...

portrait of a man in early 18th-century clothing, wearing a long curled wig and a brown frock coat with a blue sash across his chest. He carries a slim wand of office and has a key attached to his coat.

The Georgian Lords@georgianlords· 20d

Is this an early reference to division bells being rung? In 1737 Hon Charles Howard wrote to the earl of Carlisle, noting he had to be quick as the last bell was ringing. Was this about needing to go and vote, or someone ringing for the last post? Did someone wander the corridors ringing a handbell?

engraving of a man in 18th-century clothes, with a frock coat, tricorn hat and buttoned gaiters, striding past a door ringing a handbell.

The Georgian Lords@georgianlords· 21d

Before his premature death, Frederick Prince of Wales, considered ways to resolve challenges to the future of the British monarchy, including dividing Britain from Hanover, the latter going to his second son, and establishing another as 'duke of Virginia' with an island 'near' Antigua to rule over.

The Georgian Lords@georgianlords· 21d

Died #OnThisDay 1796 Robert Burns

painting of a young man with dark brown hair wearing a regency style gold waiscoat under a dark coat with brass buttons

The Georgian Lords@georgianlords· 25d

Language is an important political tool. Interestingly, in the summer of 1716 English observers noted the young Prince Frederick in Hanover (aged around 9) relishing learning English, but suddenly he clammed up. The rumour was the king (George I) had decided against him mastering the language.

portrait of a young man in splendid 18th-century clothes, wearing a dark red coat with embroidered sleeves and edges, wearing a blue sash and silver garter star

The Georgian Lords@georgianlords· 28d

And, the Bastille more recently... #HistParl

photo of a metro sign with a cafe in the background

photo of an oar-shaped information board against a stone wall

The Georgian Lords@georgianlords· 28d

#OnThisDay 1789: the fall of the Bastille #France #skystorians

engraving of a battle scene with a castle being besieged and troops in the foreground firing guns and muskets.

The Georgian Lords@georgianlords· 29d

18th-century job titles of the day (both in the gift of the Postmasters general): Inspector of the Dead Letters & Alphabet-keeper #skystorians

etching of a series of squares with letters of the alphabet denoted by pictures of items starting with the appropriate letter

The Georgian Lords@georgianlords· 29d

Spotted by the Georgian Lords team: secreted in St Mary's Battersea memorials to two of the 18th century's more controversial figures: Viscount Bolingbroke and Benedict Arnold... #HistParl

photograph of a memorial with carved decoration around the sides

The Georgian Lords@georgianlords· Jul 9

We tend to think of the old chamber of the Commons as being a fairly static place, but in the summer of 1735 the press reported all the galleries and seats being taken down so the place could be overhauled during the summer recess: 'for the ease and emolument of the members...' #HistParl

painting of the interior of a parliament chamber in the 18th century, with members in long wigs and frog coats sitting and standing. Spectators are in the galleries along the sides.

The Georgian Lords@georgianlords· Jul 9

Was gudgeon fishing a particular thing in the 18th century (or subsequently?). Showing ignorance here, but the press bothered to notice Frederick, Prince of Wales, taking a day fishing for gudgeon at Datchet... More to it than that?

engraving of a man wearing a floppy hat standing in the shallow fishing, with a small fish appearing from the river on the end of his line.

The Georgian Lords@georgianlords· Jul 8

#OnThisDay 1775, delegates of the Continental Congress signed the 'Olive Branch Petition' in an effort to avert war, asking that the king might be: 'graciously interposed to procure us relief from our afflicting fears and jealousies'... #HistParl

engraving of a man in 18th-century clothing with a coat and waistcoat with gold embroidery

The Georgian Lords@georgianlords· Jul 6

Time to start chipping away at one of the most elusive members of the Lords in the current project. 'Party' leader, head of an alternative Court, a person of many contradictions. #HistParl

faded painting in an oval frame showing a man wearing an 18th-century wig with a blue sash over one shoulder. The eyes and lips are clearer than the rest of the portrait.

The Georgian Lords@georgianlords· Jun 30

Delighted to get a chance to visit the 300th anniversary exhibition at St Martin-in-the-Fields this morning and get a chance to pay respects to the Fatt family... historyofparliament.com/2026/01/05/s... @histparl.bsky.social

The Georgian Lords@georgianlords· Jun 29

The Georgian Lords took a trip to St Fagan's National Museum over the weekend, where we were delighted to spot exemptions from tolls on the Aberystwyth turnpike for those attending county elections... #HistParl

The Georgian Lords@georgianlords· Jun 17

For the Bedford by-election in 1731, 'treating' was thought to have got out of hand, and the electors rather too demanding: "the common people are not content with ale as they had at first, but will have wine and punch at their meals, and bring their wife and children to partake with them" #HistParl

painting depicting a riotous entertainment in an upper room of a tavern. People are crowded around two tables and have been drinking heavily. The period is 18th-century and there are signs of people being drunk and having been injured in scuffles.

The Georgian Lords@georgianlords· Jun 16

Died #OnThisDay 1722 John Churchill, duke of Marlborough. In 1667 he became a page to the future James II and in 1682 was given a Scots peerage. An English barony followed and in 1702 the dukedom of Marlborough. Key in ensuring James II's overthrow, he dominated as a general and skilled politician.

painting of a man in early 18th century dress. He wears a long grey wig and close fitting armour with a blue sash over it. One hand is on his waist the other leaning on a baton. A battle scene is in he background.

The Georgian Lords@georgianlords· Jun 11

Robin Eagles of the Georgian Lords was in Nottingham yesterday, speaking on Parliament's response to the American crisis of the 1770s as part of their fascinating 'We the People' exhibition, curated by Dr Richard Gaunt and the University's Manuscripts and Special Collections department. #HistParl

The Georgian Lords@georgianlords· Jun 9

New online article coming from the Georgian Lords later this week on the duke of Grafton's last ditch effort to achieve conciliation over the American crisis in 1776. #HistParl

black and white engraving of a man in 18th-century military costume within an oval frame. He has dark hair curled over the ears and holds a stick or long baton across his shoulder.

The Georgian Lords@georgianlords· Jun 4

Many congratulations to @iaindale.bsky.social on the publication of his latest book: The Generals. 69 commanders covered by 69 different authors, including Robin Eagles of @georgianlords.bsky.social on the highly controversial Robert Clive, Lord Clive. #HistParl #skystorians

The Georgian Lords@georgianlords· Jun 3

Fascinating to look at these two paintings of Prime Minister Henry Pelham 20+ years apart. On the left by M. Dahl c.1720, when Pelham was still in his 20s, and on the right by W. Hoare c.1743. Clearly the same person, but a heaviness is there in the second. #HistParl

portrait of a young man wearing a long grey wig and armour picked out with gold

portrait of a middle-aged man wearing a shoulder length grey wig and ceremonial robes in black and gold over a satin waistcoat. He holds a paper in one hand and gestures to an embroidered purse with the other.

The Georgian Lords@georgianlords· May 29

King Charles II was born #OnThisDay 1630. He celebrated his 30th birthday with being restored to the throne, having spent most of the previous 14 years in exile. He was determined never to be sent on his travels again. #skystorians #HistParl

portrait of a tall man with pale skin wearing a black wig with a black moustache, dressed in blue and ermine ceremonial robes with a crown behind him

painting of a set of ceremonial items, with a crown, orb and sceptre lying on an ermine robe

The Georgian Lords@georgianlords· May 27

#OnThisDay 1798 Prime Minister William Pitt the Younger and opposition MP for Southwark George Tierney fought a high profile duel on Putney Heath, over Pitt's plans for augmenting the Royal Navy. They faced off at a dozen paces, but neither was hurt. Image (c) British Museum. #HistParl

caricature showing two men fighting a duel with pistols. On the left, a well built man with short brown hair wearing a long brown coat holding two pistols fires one towards the man on the right, who is tall and thin with a curly short grey wig and blue coat, holding his pistol in the air. In the background is a lion on its back and an image of Britannia. The man on the right is supported by a man in Scots dress looking away.

The Georgian Lords@georgianlords· May 23

Monaco proved to be the last stopping place of George III's brother, Edward, duke of York, who died here in the palace in 1767.

photo of a lavish bed chamber in reds and golds, the whole framed with a gold proscenium arch. The bed has a rich deep red canopy overhead.

The Georgian Lords@georgianlords· May 23

Sedan chair from the Villa Ephrussi. A 20th-century house furnished in 18th-century style. Surely, there is an argument for bringing these back?

photo of a sedan chair - a covered box for carrying one person - decorated richly in cream and light blue with floral decorations.

The Georgian Lords@georgianlords· May 23

Georgian Lords has been out and about for the last few days but managed to call in to the royal palace at Monaco. Apparently, there was a grand prix happening down the hill.

photograph of a palace with cream stucco work and a castellated wing with a flag flying

The Georgian Lords@georgianlords· May 13

A former King Charles riding on horseback through the streets of London, thought to represent the procession to the state opening of Parliament in 1661. #stateopening #Parliament

engraving of a ceremonial procession with a central figure on horseback wearing a crown and carrying an orb - he is surrounded by other mounted figures with a large building in the background.

The Georgian Lords@georgianlords· May 8

In 1779 one of the MPs for Gatton, William Adam, fought a highly publicized duel with Charles James Fox, in which Fox was shot and wounded.

18th-century cartoon showing a man in Scots clothing aiming a pistol at a man wearing a light blue coat and light waistcoat, with a light brown wig and pointing his pistol to the sky. Both are supported, the first by a man in a black tricorn hat with a red coat, the other by a man in a brown coat. There are trees in the background.

The Georgian Lords@georgianlords· May 7

A good day to get cracking on a new piece: Robert Spencer, 4th earl of Sunderland. He clearly had star quality, with one contemporary noting: 'he was what Shakspear makes Lady Piercy say of her Lord: “… the Glass, the Picture & the Book, in which the Youth of England dresst themselves"'

Engraving of a scene in a play with drapes in the background. A lady dressed in a white gown wearing a wide brimmed hat holds the arm of a standing man in black renaissance clothing, with a hat with feathers, leaning on a sword with one hand.

The Georgian Lords@georgianlords· May 1

A fanciful image for #MayDay: members of the defeated Fox-North coalition dance around the Maypole with Shelburne, while 'Nurse North' tries to encourage Pitt the Younger to join the dance... #HistParl