Skip to main content
10th June 2010

Dr John Maddicott examines origins of Parliament

Dr John Maddicott, Emeritus Fellow in History, has recently published a new book, The Origins of the English Parliament, 924-1327. The book, an expanded version of the Ford Lectures which Dr Maddicott gave in 2004, is dedicated “To the undergraduate historians of Exeter College, Oxford, 1969-2006, who made me take the long view”.

The book is “a magisterial account of the evolution of parliament”. Starting with the national assemblies which began to meet in the reign of King Æthelstan, it carries the reader through to the fully fledged parliament of lords and commons of the early fourteenth century, which came to be seen as representative of the whole nation and which eventually sanctioned the deposition of the king himself in 1327.

Dr Maddicott emphasises this evolution as a continuous process, and identifies common themes which run throughout its development, as well as the unforeseen events which helped to shape it. The Origins of the English Parliament spans a remarkable period of time, taking readers right to the roots of this pivotal institution, and questioning assumptions which have long been made about its origins.

The College is likely to host a launch party in London, so please email the Development Office if you would be interested in receiving an invitation.

Share this article