The essays in this collection, a special issue of Parliamentary
History published to mark the fortieth volume of the journal, examine
the different ways in which historians have understood and interpreted
the history of parliament since the mid 19th century.
- Beginning with the work of Bishop William Stubbs, the doyen of modern
parliamentary historians, and including such significant figures as
A.F. Pollard, Lewis Namier and G.R. Elton, down to the historians of
our own time, among whom may be found two practising politicians of
very different stripes, Conor Cruise O'Brien and Enoch Powell
- The intention is not to attempt a comprehensive account of the
historiography of British parliamentary institutions, but to focus on
particular individuals and particular phases in the development of the
subject
- The 13 contributors take different approaches, some examining the work
of a single historian or group of historians, others surveying the
historiographical landscape more broadly
- The essays not only explore the major issues which have exercised the
minds of scholars involved in the writing of parliamentary history,
but also reappraise important figures and make suggestions as to the
directions in which future writing on the history of parliament might
develop
- Topics covered venture beyond Westminster, to include both Scottish
and Irish parliamentary history, both of which have always formed an
important element in the remit of the journal
