The humble petition of the undersigned Inhabitants of the town and
Neighbourhood of Manchester, 1806
(Parliamentary Archives: HL/PO/JO/10/8/106)
An Act for the Abolition of the Slave Trade, 1807
(Parliamentary Archives: HL/PO/PU/1/1807/47G3sln60)
What is it?
What is it?
Act for the Abolition of Slavery, 1807
A Petition in support of abolishing the slave trade, 1806
What is the Story?
What is the Story?
For years people had been campaigning to abolish slavery in order to
give freedom and rights to enslaved people. Royal Assent was given
to the Foreign Slave Trade Abolition Bill in 1807, paving the way for
the full abolition of the British slave trade the following year.
A petition was put to Parliament by the merchants and traders of
Manchester who were against the abolition of the slave trade as they
thought it would harm their business. In response to this a second
petition (This one) was put together and presented to Parliament in
the House of Lords the very next day – 14th May 1806, which was in
support of the abolition of the slave trade. This was signed by over
2000 people who believed that the slave trade should end.
Petitions were an important way for members of the public to express
their opinion about issues before everyone had equal voting rights.
What does it say?
'Whereas the Two Houses of Parliament did, by their Resolutions of
the Tenth and Twenty-fourth days of June One Thousand eight
hundred and six, severally resolve, upon certain Grounds therein
mentioned, that they would, with all practicable Expedition, take
effectual Measures for the Abolition of the African Slave Trade in such
Manner, and at such Period as might be deemed advisable, And
whereas it is fit upon all and each of the Grounds mentioned in the
said Resolutions, that the same should be forthwith abolished and
prohibited, and declared to be unlawful'
What does it say?
‘The humble Petition of the undersigned Inhabitants of the town and
Neighborhood of Manchester’
The petition is nine sheets of parchment long and was signed by over
2,000 people – both men and women – who supported the abolition
of the slave trade. It was presented to the House of Lords on 14th
May 1806. The day after a separate petition which was against
abolishing the slave trade had been presented.
Engrossment of the Official Record of the Trail of King Charles I, 1649
(Parliamentary Archive, HL/PO/JO/10/14/11A)
Death Warrant of Charles I, 1649
(Parliamentary Archives, HL/PO/JO/10/1/297A)
What is it?
What is it?
The Death Warrant of Charles I
What is the story?
At his trial Charles I was found guilty of treason. He was beheaded and
his head held up to the crowds watching. This is his death warrant. It was
signed by many important people of the day – including Oliver Cromwell.
What does it say?
At the high Court of Justice for the trial and judging of Charles Stuart
King of England January xxixth Anno Domini 1648.
Whereas Charles Stuart King of England is and stands convicted
attainted and condemned of High Treason and other high Crimes, And
sentence upon Saturday last ˆ was pronounced against him by this by
this Court to be put to death by the severing of his head from his
body Of which sentence execution yet remained to be done, These
are therefore to will and require you to see the said sentence
executed In the open streets before Whitehall upon the morrow being
the Thirtieth day of this instant month of January between the hours
of Ten in the morning and Five in the afternoon of the same day with
full effect And for so doing this shall be your sufficient warrant And
these are to require All Officers and Soldiers and other the good
people of this Nation of England to be assisting unto you in this
service Given under our hands and seals.
The Trial of Charles I
What is the story?
Charles I had tried to control Parliament for many years.
Eventually, at the end of the Civil War he was put to trial accused
of using his power for his own good rather than that of the
country. IT was the first time a monarch had been held to
account for his behaviour. This is the record of the trial.
What does it say?
An Act of the Commons of England assembled
In Parliament for erecting of a High Court of
Justice for the Trying and Judging of Charles
Steward King of England
Whereas it is notorious that Charles Steward be now King of
England not content with those many encroachments which his
Predecessors had made upon the people in their Rights and
Freedoms, hath had a wicked design totally to subject the
Ancient and fundamental laws and liberties of his Nation,
And in their place to introduce an Arbitrary and Tyrannical
Government, and that besides all other evil ways and means to
bring
His design to pass has prosecuted it with force and second levied
And maintained a civil war in the land against the Parliament
And Kingdom; whereby the country has been miserably wasted,
The public treasure exhausted, trade decayed, thousands
Of people murdered and infinite other miseries committed,
For all which high and treasonable offences the said Charles
Steward might long since justly have been brought to
Exemplary and condign punishment.
Draft Declaration of Rights, 12 February 1689
(Parliamentary Archives: HL/PO/JO/10/1/403D)
Proclamation for the Prince and Princess of Orange to be King and Queen,
12 February 1689
(Parliamentary Archives; HL/PO/JO/10/1/403E)
What is it?
What is it?
Draft declaration of Rights, 1689
Proclamation of William and Mary, 1689
What is the Story?
What is the story?
The declaration of rights set out a contract between Parliament and the
Crown. This was to ensure Parliament kept the power they had over
making laws. This is the document that the King and Queen had to sign
to say they agreed with the Bill of Rights and that they would abide by it.
The declaration of rights set out a contract between Parliament and
the Crown. This was to ensure Parliament kept the power they had
over making laws. This is a copy of the draft version of the Act. It
had to be right so there were more than one versions before the
final words were agreed.
What does it say?
What does it say?
...And whereas the Lords and Commons now assembled at
Westminster, have made a Declaration, and presented the same to
the said Prince and Princess of Orange, and therein desired them to
accept the Crown, who have accepted the same accordingly: We
therefore the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, together
with the Lord-Mayor and Citizens of London, and others of the
Commons of this Realm, do with full. Consent Publish and Proclaim,
according to the said Declaration, WILLIAM and MARY, Prince and
Princess of Orange, to be King and Queen of England...[extract]
In order to such an Establishment as that their Religion Laws and
Liberties might not again be in danger of being subverted Upon
which Letters Elections having been accordingly made. And
thereupon the said Lords Spiritual and Temporal and Commons
pursuant to their respective Letters and Elections being now
assembled in a full and free Representative of this Nation taking
into their most serious consideration the best means for attaining
the Ends aforesaid do in the first place (as their Ancestors in like
case have usually done) for the vindicating and asserting their
ancient Rights and Liberties Declare that the pretended Power of
suspending of Laws or the Execution of Laws by Regal Authority
without Consent of Parliament is illegal. That the pretended power
of dispensing with Laws or the Execution of Laws by Regal Authority
as it hath been assumed and exercised of late is illegal. That the
Commission for erecting the late Court of Commissioners for
Ecclesiastical Causes and all other Commissions and Courts of like
nature are illegal and pernicious. That levying money for or to the
use of the Crown by pretence of Prerogative without Grant of
Parliament for longer time or in other manner than the same is or
shall be granted is illegal. That it is the right of the Subjects to
petition the King and all Commitments and prosecutions for such
petitioning are illegal.
Parliament Act, 1911
(Parliamentary Archives, HL/PO/PU/1/1911/1&2G5c13)
No Surrender! – Printed Report, 1911
(Parliamentary archives, WB/2/39)
What is it?
No Surrender report, 1911
What is the Story?
A group of Lords who opposed the Parliament Act held a meeting to
discuss it’d implications. This is the report of what they said – but their
opinion is made clear in the title – ‘No Surrender!
What does it say?
‘No Surrender!’
A Verbatim Report of the proceedings of the memorable banquet held in
honour of the Earl of Halsbury, at the Hotel Cecil on Wednesday 26 July,
1911
What is it?
The Parliament Act, 1911
What is the Story?
It was felt the Lords had too much power in Parliament so the
Parliament Act was created to reduce their ability to reject money
bills and veto public bills. It also reduced the length of a Parliament
from 7 to 5 years. This ensured that the balance of power was
fairer in comparison with the House of Commons who are elected
by the public. This is the Act.
What does it say?
An Act
To
Make provision with respect to the powers of the House of Lords in
relation to those of the House of Commons, and to limit the
duration of Parliament.
Police Report on activities at the House of Commons, 1908
(Parliamentary archives, HC/SA/SJ/10/12)
Suffragette banner, 1908
(Parliamentary archive, HC/SA/SJ/3/1)
What is it?
A Suffragette Banner
What is the story?
A group of Suffragettes known as the Women’s Freedom League,
campaigning for the right to vote, staged a protest by entering the Houses
of Parliament and chaining themselves to ironwork and displaying a Votes
for Women banner in one of the viewing galleries above the House of
Commons. This is the banner.
What does it say?
PROCLAMATION
Whereas: the Nation depends for its progress and existence upon the work and
services of women as well as of men
Whereas: The State is organises for the mutual protection and co-operation of all
its citizens, women as well as men
Whereas: the Government conducts the national business by means of taxes
levied upon women as well as men
Whereas: the women of the Nation have made clear their need for political rights,
and their desire to possess the Parliamentary Vote
Whereas: working women, and women in the home are in especial need of the
protection of the Vote since legislation is interfering more and more with their
interest
WOMEN’S FREEDOM LEAUGE
Calls upon the Government to remove the sex disability which deprives qualified
women of their just right of voting in the Parliamentary elections and
DEMANDS
The immediate extension of the Franchise to Women on the same terms as it is, or
may be, to men
The Nation can never be free until the law recognises and establishes
VOTES FOR WOMEN
The demand is just. The Reform inevitable. Delay is Unwise and unjust.
Therefore in the name of Liberty and Humanity and the Women’s Freedom League
claims the Vote
THIS SESSION
What is it?
A Police report on a protest that occurred in the House of
Commons
What is the story?
A group of Suffragettes known as the Women’s Freedom League,
campaigning for the right to vote, staged a protest by entering the
Houses of Parliament and chaining themselves to ironwork and
displaying a Votes for Women banner in one of the viewing galleries
above the House of Commons. This is the police report of the
events.
What does it say?
28th October 1908
I have to report for information of the Sergeant Of Arms that at
8.30pm a demonstration took place in the Ladies Gallery and St
Stephen’s Hall simultaneously by members of the Women’s Freedom
League.
The Following had been taken to the Ladies Gallery at about
5.30pm by Stephen Collins:
Helen Fox
Murielle Matters
Both chained themselves to the ironwork of the grill and were
brought out with the iron work and the locks were filed off in a
Committee Room.
An Act to amend the Representation of the People in England and Wales
(Parliamentary Archives: HL/PO/PU/1/1832/2G3W4n147)
What is it?
The Great Reform Act, 1932
What is the Story?
The laws about who could vote had been in place for 400 years and
only a few very select rich people could have their say. The Reform
Act bought in new rules that meant 1 in 7 men could now vote in
elections. This is the Act.
What does it say?
Whereas it is expedient to take effectual measures for correcting
divers abuses that have long prevailed in the choice of members to
serve in the commons' house of parliament to deprive many
inconsiderable places of the right of returning members to grant
such privilege to large populous and wealthy towns to increase the
number of knights of the shire to extend the elective franchise to
many of his majesty's subjects who have not heretofore enjoyed the
same and to diminish the expense of elections