A History of the House of Lords

by Longford, Frank Pakenham

• ISBN13: 9780750921916
• ISBN10: 0750921919
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1999-02-01
• Publisher: Trafalgar Square

Summary

Never before has the House of Lords been more threatened. The hereditary principle certainly hangs in the balance, but nobody can know precisely what the future holds. What is beyond doubt, though, is that hundreds of years of tradition are at stake. That history and tradition are here related by a peer. A complete history from the Norman conquest to the present day, the volume charts the waxing and waning over many years of the institution's importance. It begins with a peer's-eye view of developments introduced by the modernizing Blair administration and concludes with an examination of the nature and working of an unelected House of Lords in an age of democracy. Combining history, anecdote, comment and wit, Lord Longford's account offers profound insights.

Author Biography

Lord Longford (Frank Pakenham, 7th Earl of Longford) held ministerial posts in the Labour governments of 1948-51 and 1964-68. He is perhaps best known for his crusade against pornography and his unstinting support of the 'moors murderer' Myra Hindley. He is married to the noted historical biographer Elizabeth Longford.

Table of Contents

Preface to 1999 Edition	p. 4
Acknowledgements	p. 9
Prelude	p. 10
The Palace of Westminster	p. 19
An Afternoon in the House of Lords	p. 22
1066-1377 The Formation of the House of Lords	p. 27
1377-1603 The House Settles Down	p. 35
Some Noble Families	p. 45
1603-1642 Emergence and Dismissal	p. 56
1642-1660 The Years Between	p. 76
1660-1783 Before 'The Golden Years' and after	p. 81
The Death of 'The Great Commoner'	p. 97
1783-1832 Expansion and Defeat	p. 101
1832-1905 The Tories in Control	p. 114
Some Other Aspects of the Nineteenth Century	p. 123
1905-1911 The Showdown	p. 136
1911-1945 The House in Transition	p. 153
The House of Lords from 1945	p. 162
The House of Lords Today	p. 175
Some Social Concerns	p. 191
Final Words	p. 211
End Note	p. 213
Select Bibliography	p. 215
Index	p. 217
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