House Of Commons Collection

First Parliamentary Labour (Socialist) Party gathered
The first Parliamentary Labour (Socialist) Party gathered on the terrace of the House of Commons, London, 1906. Ramsay Macdonald is seated third from the left, then Arthur Henderson and next to him

Charles I and Speaker Lenthall, c1850, (1947). Creator: Unknown
Charles I and Speaker Lenthall, c1850, (1947). On 4 January 1642, King Charles I (1600-1649, standing, in hat) entered the House of Commons to arrest five Members of Parliament for high treason

TURNER: BURNING PARLIAMENT. The Burning of the Houses of Lords and Commons, 16th October 1834. Oil on canvas, 1834-35, by Joseph Mallord William Turner

Interior of the Commons chamber, Houses of Parliament, Westminster, London, England, United Kingdom, Europe

Mr. Churchill contemplates the ruins of the House of Commons, bombed in May 1941, 1941 (1955). Incendiary bombs which fell on the nights of 10

The Tea-Room, House of Commons, Westminster, London, 19th century. From Cassells Illustrated History of England, volume X, published by Cassell, Petter, Galpin and Co

Uncorking Old Sherry, 1805
Uncorking Old Sherry, pub. 1805 (hand coloured engraving). William Pitt (1759-1806) giving a speech on 6th March 1805

A Final Sitting of the House of Commons, the Twelfth Parliament of Queen Victoria (engraving)
1615032 A Final Sitting of the House of Commons, the Twelfth Parliament of Queen Victoria (engraving) by Wilson, Thomas Walter (1851-1912); Private Collection; (add.info)

Mr Disraeli addressing the House of Commons for the First Time as Prime Minister (engraving)
1588583 Mr Disraeli addressing the House of Commons for the First Time as Prime Minister (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

The House of Commons During A Debate, 1858, (1947). Creator: Unknown
The House of Commons During A Debate, 1858, (1947). Interior of the Palace of Westminster in London, with (all-male) members of parliament on opposing benches. Lithograph after a painting

Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Bridge, and River Thames seen from London Eye, London, England, United Kingdom

Politicians at Play, "Thought-Reading"in the House of Commons (engraving)
1622605 Politicians at Play, " Thought-Reading" in the House of Commons (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Politicians at Play)

The Houses of Lords and Commons, Westminster, London, 1815. Artist: Byrne
The Houses of Lords and Commons, Westminster, London, 1815

The Reporters' Room at the House of Commons
5311860 The Reporters' Room at the House of Commons; (add.info.: Engraving depicting the Reporters' Room at the House of Commons. Dated 19th century.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

The Houses of Parliament, Palace of Westminster, London, England in the 19th century
3083164 The Houses of Parliament, Palace of Westminster, London, England in the 19th century.; Private Collection; (add.info.: From The Century Edition of Cassell's History of England)

Sir Wilfrid Lawson, 1850
3478056 Sir Wilfrid Lawson, 1850; (add.info.: Cartoon depicting Sir Wilfrid Lawson, 2nd Baronet, of Brayton (1829-1906) an English temperance campaigner and radical

William Henry Smith
3118261 William Henry Smith; (add.info.: Photographic portrait of William Henry Smith (1825-1891) an English Member of Parliament, bookseller and newsagent of the family firm W H Smith

Cartoon of Spy by T P O'Connor
3077566 Cartoon of Spy by T P O'Connor; (add.info.: Cartoon of Spy by Thomas Power O'Connor (1848-1929) a journalist, an Irish nationalist political figure

President Cleveland at the helm of a yacht, 1893
1576809 President Cleveland at the helm of a yacht, 1893; (add.info.: The greatest race of the yachting season' President Cleveland at the helm labelled "Congress" of a yacht labelled)

Pneumatic tubes at the General Post Office, 1888
3480041 Pneumatic tubes at the General Post Office, 1888; (add.info.: Pneumatic tubes at the General Post Office; St Martin's-le-Grand)

John Webster
3585807 John Webster; (add.info.: Portrait of John Webster (1810-1891) a Scottish lawyer and Liberal politician. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

Sir Edmund Buckley, 1860 (engraving)
1579677 Sir Edmund Buckley, 1860 (engraving); (add.info.: Engraving of Sir Edmund Buckley, 1st Baronet (1834-1910) English landowner and Conservative politician who sat in the House of Commons

Title Page of a Parliamentary Petition, printed August 8, 1648 by Richard Cotes (printed paper)
XJF437926 Title Page of a Parliamentary Petition, printed August 8, 1648 by Richard Cotes (printed paper); Private Collection; (add.info.: "The Humble Petition of the Lord Mayor, Aldermen)

Engraving depicting the dinning room at the House of Commons, 19th century
5308683 Engraving depicting the dinning room at the House of Commons, 19th century; (add.info.: Engraving depicting the dinning room at the House of Commons)

Charles Bradlaugh (1833-1891)
2602358 Charles Bradlaugh (1833-1891); (add.info.: Charles Bradlaugh (1833-1891), whose refusal to take the religious oath after his election to the House of Commons in 1880 led to a six year

Samuel Plimsoll addressing the Commons, 1850
3330624 Samuel Plimsoll addressing the Commons, 1850; (add.info.: Engraving depicting Samuel Plimsoll addressing the Commons during the debate on bringing in regulations about the loading)

William Lenthall (1591 - 1662)
2603848 William Lenthall (1591 - 1662); (add.info.: William Lenthall (1591 - 1662), Speaker of the House of Commons, running away to the Puritan army with the Mace (symbol of Parliamentary authority)

Portrait of William Henry Smith
672556 Portrait of William Henry Smith; (add.info.: William Henry Smith (24 June 1825 - 6 October 1891) was an English bookseller and newsagent of the family firm W H Smith

The burning of The Houses of Parliament, London, England, 1834
5614440 The burning of The Houses of Parliament, London, England, 1834; (add.info.: The burning of The Houses of Parliament, London, England, 1834)

John Stuart Mill spoke in the house of commons in favour of Women's suffrage, 1867
3479864 John Stuart Mill spoke in the house of commons in favour of Women's suffrage, 1867; (add.info.: John Stuart Mill (1806-1873)

William Bowyer Younger (1699 - 1777)
2603688 William Bowyer Younger (1699 - 1777); (add.info.: William Bowyer the Younger (1699 - 1777) known as 'The Learned Printer, prominent English printer and author

Sir Joseph Pease
3118255 Sir Joseph Pease; (add.info.: Photographic portrait of Sir Joseph Pease, 1st Baronet (1828-1903) a British Liberal Party politician. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

Henry Wotton
3585856 Henry Wotton; (add.info.: Portrait of Henry Wotton (1568-1639) an English author, diplomat and politician. Dated 17th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

Sir Wilfrid Lawson, 1850
3478047 Sir Wilfrid Lawson, 1850; (add.info.: Cartoon depicting Sir Wilfrid Lawson, 2nd Baronet, of Brayton (1829-1906) an English temperance campaigner and radical

The Speaker of the House of Commons reprimanding a person at the bar. Steel engraving by Henry Melville after an
FLO4669262 The Speaker of the House of Commons reprimanding a person at the bar. Steel engraving by Henry Melville after an illustration by Thomas Hosmer Shepherd from London Interiors

Portrait of Henry Bouverie William Brand
672654 Portrait of Henry Bouverie William Brand; (add.info.: H B W Brand - Tinted lithograph Henry Bouverie William Brand, 1st Viscount Hampden (24 December 1814 - 14 March 1892)

Portrait of Justin McCarthy
672660 Portrait of Justin McCarthy; (add.info.: Justin McCarthy - Woodbury Justin McCarthy (22 November 1830 - 24 April 1912) was an Irish nationalist and Liberal historian, novelist and politician

Lord Palmerston making the ministerial statement on Dano-German Affairs..., 1864. Creator: Mason Jackson
Lord Palmerston making the ministerial statement on Dano-German Affairs in the House of Commons on Monday, 1864. 'Every seat in the body of the house, and the very steps in each gangway

Mr. Speaker Gully, c1900. Creators: Bassano Studio, William Court Gully
Mr. Speaker Gully, c1900. William Court Gully, British politician, MP, Speaker of the House of Commons. Engraving after a photograph by Messrs. Bassano

AI IMAGE - Portrait of Boris Johnson, 2023. Creator: Heritage Images
AI IMAGE - Portrait of Boris Johnson, 2023. British politician and writer, Johnson (born 1964) served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Conservative Party from 2019 to 2022

AI IMAGE - Portrait of Boris Johnson, 2023. Creator: Heritage Images
AI IMAGE - Portrait of Boris Johnson, 2023. British politician and writer, Johnson (born 1964) served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Conservative Party from 2019 to 2022

AI IMAGE - Portrait of Benjamin Disraeli, 1870s, (2023). Creator: Heritage Images
AI IMAGE - Portrait of Benjamin Disraeli, 1870s, (2023). Benjamin Disraeli, Earl of Beaconsfield (1804-1881) was twice Prime Minister of Britain, first in 1868 and then again between 1874 and 1880

Speaker of the House of Commons, 1937. Creator: Unknown
Speaker of the House of Commons, 1937. From "The Coronation of H.M. King George VI and H.M. Queen Elizabeth 1937". [John Player & Sons, London, 1937]

Lower Waiting-Hall, House of Commons, 1856. Creator: Unknown
Lower Waiting-Hall, House of Commons, 1856. Interior of the new Houses of Parliament, Westminster, London. The ceiling of the Hall is divided into nine principal compartments by bold beams

The Division Lobby, House of Commons: Taking the Votes, 1857. Creator: Unknown
The Division Lobby, House of Commons: Taking the Votes, 1857....the recording of the votes of members of the House decides every question of policy

Members of the House of Commons Taking the Oaths, 1857. Creator: Unknown
Members of the House of Commons Taking the Oaths, 1857. From the mysterious recesses of the brass-clasped yellow boxes...are drawn...oblong pieces of cardboard exactly of the size

The Strangers Gallery in the House of Commons, 1857. Creator: Unknown
The Strangers Gallery in the House of Commons, [London], 1857. Admission is obtained only by means of a written order from a member; one of which each member is privileged to give every day

The Speaker of the House of Commons Levee, 1857. Creator: Unknown
The Speaker of the House of Commons Levee, [London], 1857. The Right Honourable the Speaker of the House of Commons gave his last Parliamantary full-dress dinner on Saturday evening

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The House of Commons, located within the historic Houses of Parliament in Westminster, London, is a place steeped in rich history and political significance. Its interior chamber has witnessed countless debates and decisions that have shaped the course of British democracy. One notable event was the gathering of the first Parliamentary Labour (Socialist) Party, marking a significant shift towards progressive politics. Another iconic moment captured in time is Charles I standing before Speaker Lenthall in 1850, illustrating the power dynamics between monarchy and parliament. Turner's famous painting "Burning Parliament" immortalizes the devastating fire that engulfed both Houses in 1834. However, resilience prevailed as depicted by an engraving showcasing a final sitting during Queen Victoria's twelfth parliament. In another engraving, Mr. Disraeli takes center stage as he addresses the House for the first time as Prime Minister. The image captures his charisma and leadership skills during this pivotal moment. The House of Commons wasn't always serious business; it had its lighter moments too. An amusing scene from 1805 shows members uncorking old sherry while engaging in jovial conversation—a glimpse into their camaraderie behind closed doors. However, not all moments were lighthearted. A poignant photograph taken after a bombing raid shows Mr. Churchill contemplating the ruins of the House of Commons during World War II—an enduring symbol of resilience amidst destruction. Artistic representations also capture its grandeur—the Byrne painting showcases both Houses against a backdrop dominated by Big Ben and Westminster Bridge—a true testament to architectural magnificence. Lastly, politicians at play are caught on canvas indulging in "thought-reading" during parliamentary sessions—an intriguing insight into their offbeat interactions beyond formalities. The House of Commons stands as an enduring symbol of democratic governance where history unfolds daily—its walls echoing with passionate speeches and fierce debates that shape Britain's future for generations to come.