Pat here:
In my defense, I could have sworn the first of July was next week, and that I had plenty of time to research a lovely topic. But I’m now frantically flinging clothes into a suitcase for a trip scheduled this weekend and the calendar page turned and here I am at midnight, unprepared.
So today you get a brief history of the House of Lords, which has only been around in some form for about eight hundred years, give or take a century or so. Right, deep breath. Parliament essentially began in medieval times as a group of advisors to the kings. By the 13th century, these advisors included representatives from various counties, cities, and rural boroughs. It wasn’t until the 14th century that the two houses of Parliament emerged. The representatives—currently elected—met in the House of Commons. The nobility and leaders of the church met as the House of Lords.
By the 15th century, the Lords Temporals, the “peers,” became almost entirely hereditary, no longer appointed by the king. These are the titles most familiar to romance readers: dukes, marquesses, earls, viscounts, and barons. Since titles descended only to male heirs, the lords was quite unreasonably all male and still is today.
In the 16th century, good King Henry VIII took out the churches, which removed pretty 
much all the bishops and Catholic church hierarchy, leaving the Lords Temporal pretty much in charge. I think there’s an entire encyclopedia of novels in this period alone. So, out goes the church and let the merriment begin!
Let’s skip over the nastiness of the Civil War when everyone got thrown out and it was a right wretched mess until 1689 when the Bill of Rights declared Parliament had authority over the king. Yeah, people! We may be down to a few dozen clergymen at this point.
So now we’re up to the time that matters in most of our romance novels, the 18th century. Scotland and England have been battling for centuries but finally, in 1707, they settle down and Scotland sends peers to the House of Lords. It takes until 1800 before they can get it together with Ireland, though. Lots of fun history here should I be writing this at some other time besides midnight.
It's before all the reforms in the mid-1800s that I'm setting my Unexpected Magic series, so a peer is still entitled to sit in the Lords upon inheriting the title. That's no longer true, but I'm not writing contemporary and don't have to worry about today's complications.
Essentially, the Lords supervises the Commons. The Commons does all the work, 
deciding what their voters want, writing the bills, and the Lords get to sniff at it and decide whether they like the result. So really, one can understand why they spent a lot of time sleeping on the benches and playing cards. But I like my heroes more dynamic, so Lord Ashford gets to meddle in my next book. He probably likes to meddle at midnight, too, but I don't. So I'll leave y'all to tell me how far I went astray in my ramblings. Do any of you ever wonder what our heroes are actually supposed to be doing when our dukes and earls are out making hay or doing whatever it is romance heroes do that get them into so much trouble?
I also thought the first of July was coming later! We have our federal elections tomorrow (and voting is compulsory here) and I’d convinced myself we had another week to go.
I’m no expert, but I was just trying to explain British politics to some people the other day, and I got so confused even though I was supposed to be the one who understood it. I admire authors who tackle this stuff. 🙂
I also thought the first of July was coming later! We have our federal elections tomorrow (and voting is compulsory here) and I’d convinced myself we had another week to go.
I’m no expert, but I was just trying to explain British politics to some people the other day, and I got so confused even though I was supposed to be the one who understood it. I admire authors who tackle this stuff. 🙂
I also thought the first of July was coming later! We have our federal elections tomorrow (and voting is compulsory here) and I’d convinced myself we had another week to go.
I’m no expert, but I was just trying to explain British politics to some people the other day, and I got so confused even though I was supposed to be the one who understood it. I admire authors who tackle this stuff. 🙂
I also thought the first of July was coming later! We have our federal elections tomorrow (and voting is compulsory here) and I’d convinced myself we had another week to go.
I’m no expert, but I was just trying to explain British politics to some people the other day, and I got so confused even though I was supposed to be the one who understood it. I admire authors who tackle this stuff. 🙂
I also thought the first of July was coming later! We have our federal elections tomorrow (and voting is compulsory here) and I’d convinced myself we had another week to go.
I’m no expert, but I was just trying to explain British politics to some people the other day, and I got so confused even though I was supposed to be the one who understood it. I admire authors who tackle this stuff. 🙂
and might I remind you, again , that I did so at midnight, and I am by no stretch of the imagination a night owl.
What on earth happened to the last week of June? Did it just explode on us?
and might I remind you, again , that I did so at midnight, and I am by no stretch of the imagination a night owl.
What on earth happened to the last week of June? Did it just explode on us?
and might I remind you, again , that I did so at midnight, and I am by no stretch of the imagination a night owl.
What on earth happened to the last week of June? Did it just explode on us?
and might I remind you, again , that I did so at midnight, and I am by no stretch of the imagination a night owl.
What on earth happened to the last week of June? Did it just explode on us?
and might I remind you, again , that I did so at midnight, and I am by no stretch of the imagination a night owl.
What on earth happened to the last week of June? Did it just explode on us?
A lot of us are struggling to explain British politics at the moment, Sonya
A lot of us are struggling to explain British politics at the moment, Sonya
A lot of us are struggling to explain British politics at the moment, Sonya
A lot of us are struggling to explain British politics at the moment, Sonya
A lot of us are struggling to explain British politics at the moment, Sonya
Oops, that cut off before I had added an exclamation mark! Plus the comment that it’s a fascinating topic but desperately complex especially lacking a written constitution. I do love the idea of our heroes taking an active role in the work of the Lords, though. (And the commons if they are eligible.) Parliament needs good men (and women!)
Oops, that cut off before I had added an exclamation mark! Plus the comment that it’s a fascinating topic but desperately complex especially lacking a written constitution. I do love the idea of our heroes taking an active role in the work of the Lords, though. (And the commons if they are eligible.) Parliament needs good men (and women!)
Oops, that cut off before I had added an exclamation mark! Plus the comment that it’s a fascinating topic but desperately complex especially lacking a written constitution. I do love the idea of our heroes taking an active role in the work of the Lords, though. (And the commons if they are eligible.) Parliament needs good men (and women!)
Oops, that cut off before I had added an exclamation mark! Plus the comment that it’s a fascinating topic but desperately complex especially lacking a written constitution. I do love the idea of our heroes taking an active role in the work of the Lords, though. (And the commons if they are eligible.) Parliament needs good men (and women!)
Oops, that cut off before I had added an exclamation mark! Plus the comment that it’s a fascinating topic but desperately complex especially lacking a written constitution. I do love the idea of our heroes taking an active role in the work of the Lords, though. (And the commons if they are eligible.) Parliament needs good men (and women!)
Well, I don’t know enough about House of Lords to know if what you have written has any errors, but I appreciate your midnight efforts.
Well, I don’t know enough about House of Lords to know if what you have written has any errors, but I appreciate your midnight efforts.
Well, I don’t know enough about House of Lords to know if what you have written has any errors, but I appreciate your midnight efforts.
Well, I don’t know enough about House of Lords to know if what you have written has any errors, but I appreciate your midnight efforts.
Well, I don’t know enough about House of Lords to know if what you have written has any errors, but I appreciate your midnight efforts.
Not bad for midnight, Pat!
Not bad for midnight, Pat!
Not bad for midnight, Pat!
Not bad for midnight, Pat!
Not bad for midnight, Pat!
I heard a Brit saying today that they really liked “House of Cards” better than “The West Wing” because it seemed more realistic. West Wing had a bit too much high-flown philosophy and moral basis to be real.
I heard a Brit saying today that they really liked “House of Cards” better than “The West Wing” because it seemed more realistic. West Wing had a bit too much high-flown philosophy and moral basis to be real.
I heard a Brit saying today that they really liked “House of Cards” better than “The West Wing” because it seemed more realistic. West Wing had a bit too much high-flown philosophy and moral basis to be real.
I heard a Brit saying today that they really liked “House of Cards” better than “The West Wing” because it seemed more realistic. West Wing had a bit too much high-flown philosophy and moral basis to be real.
I heard a Brit saying today that they really liked “House of Cards” better than “The West Wing” because it seemed more realistic. West Wing had a bit too much high-flown philosophy and moral basis to be real.
And dealing with the complex issues that face a nation should be heroic… although obviously, many politicians don’t think that.
And dealing with the complex issues that face a nation should be heroic… although obviously, many politicians don’t think that.
And dealing with the complex issues that face a nation should be heroic… although obviously, many politicians don’t think that.
And dealing with the complex issues that face a nation should be heroic… although obviously, many politicians don’t think that.
And dealing with the complex issues that face a nation should be heroic… although obviously, many politicians don’t think that.
Thank you! If I’d had the time, I would have added FAR more detail and it would have taken me a week to prepare and everyone a day to read. Probably better this way.
Thank you! If I’d had the time, I would have added FAR more detail and it would have taken me a week to prepare and everyone a day to read. Probably better this way.
Thank you! If I’d had the time, I would have added FAR more detail and it would have taken me a week to prepare and everyone a day to read. Probably better this way.
Thank you! If I’d had the time, I would have added FAR more detail and it would have taken me a week to prepare and everyone a day to read. Probably better this way.
Thank you! If I’d had the time, I would have added FAR more detail and it would have taken me a week to prepare and everyone a day to read. Probably better this way.
West Wing concentrated on heroics. House of Cards, like most of the cable programs, concentrates on the evil. Since I can read evil in the paper every morning, I’ll take the shows that show what we could be if we tried! Which is why I’m a romance writer, of course.
West Wing concentrated on heroics. House of Cards, like most of the cable programs, concentrates on the evil. Since I can read evil in the paper every morning, I’ll take the shows that show what we could be if we tried! Which is why I’m a romance writer, of course.
West Wing concentrated on heroics. House of Cards, like most of the cable programs, concentrates on the evil. Since I can read evil in the paper every morning, I’ll take the shows that show what we could be if we tried! Which is why I’m a romance writer, of course.
West Wing concentrated on heroics. House of Cards, like most of the cable programs, concentrates on the evil. Since I can read evil in the paper every morning, I’ll take the shows that show what we could be if we tried! Which is why I’m a romance writer, of course.
West Wing concentrated on heroics. House of Cards, like most of the cable programs, concentrates on the evil. Since I can read evil in the paper every morning, I’ll take the shows that show what we could be if we tried! Which is why I’m a romance writer, of course.
So true, Pat. Sigh.
So true, Pat. Sigh.
So true, Pat. Sigh.
So true, Pat. Sigh.
So true, Pat. Sigh.
Loved it. Right now, I will take any chance to have my politics leavened with some humor. You know it’s bad when several days go by before the Brits are again joking about politics.
As for traveling, I wish you a safe journey. I’m just trying to figure out how you’re not going to get where you’re going without forgetting something.
Loved it. Right now, I will take any chance to have my politics leavened with some humor. You know it’s bad when several days go by before the Brits are again joking about politics.
As for traveling, I wish you a safe journey. I’m just trying to figure out how you’re not going to get where you’re going without forgetting something.
Loved it. Right now, I will take any chance to have my politics leavened with some humor. You know it’s bad when several days go by before the Brits are again joking about politics.
As for traveling, I wish you a safe journey. I’m just trying to figure out how you’re not going to get where you’re going without forgetting something.
Loved it. Right now, I will take any chance to have my politics leavened with some humor. You know it’s bad when several days go by before the Brits are again joking about politics.
As for traveling, I wish you a safe journey. I’m just trying to figure out how you’re not going to get where you’re going without forgetting something.
Loved it. Right now, I will take any chance to have my politics leavened with some humor. You know it’s bad when several days go by before the Brits are again joking about politics.
As for traveling, I wish you a safe journey. I’m just trying to figure out how you’re not going to get where you’re going without forgetting something.
You mean there are people who go places without forgetting something? Can I buy them online? Rent them for a few days?
You mean there are people who go places without forgetting something? Can I buy them online? Rent them for a few days?
You mean there are people who go places without forgetting something? Can I buy them online? Rent them for a few days?
You mean there are people who go places without forgetting something? Can I buy them online? Rent them for a few days?
You mean there are people who go places without forgetting something? Can I buy them online? Rent them for a few days?
Loved your midnight blog, Pat. In Australia, as Sonya said, we’re heading to the polls today. It’s a very lack-lustre election IMO — a sign of the times? — but there’s a small silver lining in that at many of our polling booths there will be sausages sizzling and cakes and jams and plants and handcrafted items to be bought. No, it’s not a bribe to get us to come to vote — it’s compulsory to turn up to vote — but it’s a way local community organizations raise a bit of money by selling stuff to the captive audience lining up to go in to vote. 🙂
Loved your midnight blog, Pat. In Australia, as Sonya said, we’re heading to the polls today. It’s a very lack-lustre election IMO — a sign of the times? — but there’s a small silver lining in that at many of our polling booths there will be sausages sizzling and cakes and jams and plants and handcrafted items to be bought. No, it’s not a bribe to get us to come to vote — it’s compulsory to turn up to vote — but it’s a way local community organizations raise a bit of money by selling stuff to the captive audience lining up to go in to vote. 🙂
Loved your midnight blog, Pat. In Australia, as Sonya said, we’re heading to the polls today. It’s a very lack-lustre election IMO — a sign of the times? — but there’s a small silver lining in that at many of our polling booths there will be sausages sizzling and cakes and jams and plants and handcrafted items to be bought. No, it’s not a bribe to get us to come to vote — it’s compulsory to turn up to vote — but it’s a way local community organizations raise a bit of money by selling stuff to the captive audience lining up to go in to vote. 🙂
Loved your midnight blog, Pat. In Australia, as Sonya said, we’re heading to the polls today. It’s a very lack-lustre election IMO — a sign of the times? — but there’s a small silver lining in that at many of our polling booths there will be sausages sizzling and cakes and jams and plants and handcrafted items to be bought. No, it’s not a bribe to get us to come to vote — it’s compulsory to turn up to vote — but it’s a way local community organizations raise a bit of money by selling stuff to the captive audience lining up to go in to vote. 🙂
Loved your midnight blog, Pat. In Australia, as Sonya said, we’re heading to the polls today. It’s a very lack-lustre election IMO — a sign of the times? — but there’s a small silver lining in that at many of our polling booths there will be sausages sizzling and cakes and jams and plants and handcrafted items to be bought. No, it’s not a bribe to get us to come to vote — it’s compulsory to turn up to vote — but it’s a way local community organizations raise a bit of money by selling stuff to the captive audience lining up to go in to vote. 🙂
As to traveling without forgetting. There is a place in Indiana between Wabash and Miami? Counties. ( I THINK it’s on the Wabash County side.)
When you are driving westbound you descend a fairly long hill. On returning home after was visiting my Grandmother (and later my Aunt) with young children we would descend this hill AND remember that we had left behind something we COULD NOT do without (such as formula or diapers) and would need to turn around and go back to get it. To this day my children (now in their 50s and 60s) and I call that stretch of road “Remembrance Hill.”
As to traveling without forgetting. There is a place in Indiana between Wabash and Miami? Counties. ( I THINK it’s on the Wabash County side.)
When you are driving westbound you descend a fairly long hill. On returning home after was visiting my Grandmother (and later my Aunt) with young children we would descend this hill AND remember that we had left behind something we COULD NOT do without (such as formula or diapers) and would need to turn around and go back to get it. To this day my children (now in their 50s and 60s) and I call that stretch of road “Remembrance Hill.”
As to traveling without forgetting. There is a place in Indiana between Wabash and Miami? Counties. ( I THINK it’s on the Wabash County side.)
When you are driving westbound you descend a fairly long hill. On returning home after was visiting my Grandmother (and later my Aunt) with young children we would descend this hill AND remember that we had left behind something we COULD NOT do without (such as formula or diapers) and would need to turn around and go back to get it. To this day my children (now in their 50s and 60s) and I call that stretch of road “Remembrance Hill.”
As to traveling without forgetting. There is a place in Indiana between Wabash and Miami? Counties. ( I THINK it’s on the Wabash County side.)
When you are driving westbound you descend a fairly long hill. On returning home after was visiting my Grandmother (and later my Aunt) with young children we would descend this hill AND remember that we had left behind something we COULD NOT do without (such as formula or diapers) and would need to turn around and go back to get it. To this day my children (now in their 50s and 60s) and I call that stretch of road “Remembrance Hill.”
As to traveling without forgetting. There is a place in Indiana between Wabash and Miami? Counties. ( I THINK it’s on the Wabash County side.)
When you are driving westbound you descend a fairly long hill. On returning home after was visiting my Grandmother (and later my Aunt) with young children we would descend this hill AND remember that we had left behind something we COULD NOT do without (such as formula or diapers) and would need to turn around and go back to get it. To this day my children (now in their 50s and 60s) and I call that stretch of road “Remembrance Hill.”
I LOVE that bit of local color Anne!
I LOVE that bit of local color Anne!
I LOVE that bit of local color Anne!
I LOVE that bit of local color Anne!
I LOVE that bit of local color Anne!
Thank you, Patricia for a very interesting overview. It has given me a better understanding of the House of Lords in our Regency Novels.
Thank you, Patricia for a very interesting overview. It has given me a better understanding of the House of Lords in our Regency Novels.
Thank you, Patricia for a very interesting overview. It has given me a better understanding of the House of Lords in our Regency Novels.
Thank you, Patricia for a very interesting overview. It has given me a better understanding of the House of Lords in our Regency Novels.
Thank you, Patricia for a very interesting overview. It has given me a better understanding of the House of Lords in our Regency Novels.
Sue, you comment inspired me to blog about it here.
http://www.annegracie.com/blog/
Sue, you comment inspired me to blog about it here.
http://www.annegracie.com/blog/
Sue, you comment inspired me to blog about it here.
http://www.annegracie.com/blog/
Sue, you comment inspired me to blog about it here.
http://www.annegracie.com/blog/
Sue, you comment inspired me to blog about it here.
http://www.annegracie.com/blog/
I do get a little thrill when I come across a hero who actually does get involved in politics. I certainly don’t want a book full of it, but it’s nice to sometimes see a man who is getting involved and committing himself to his position.
But, yep. As I’ve just voted for the first of two times this year, and having just been in Europe through the Italian elections and Brexit, AND having nonstop coverage of the US election drama on television here, I have my limits!
I do get a little thrill when I come across a hero who actually does get involved in politics. I certainly don’t want a book full of it, but it’s nice to sometimes see a man who is getting involved and committing himself to his position.
But, yep. As I’ve just voted for the first of two times this year, and having just been in Europe through the Italian elections and Brexit, AND having nonstop coverage of the US election drama on television here, I have my limits!
I do get a little thrill when I come across a hero who actually does get involved in politics. I certainly don’t want a book full of it, but it’s nice to sometimes see a man who is getting involved and committing himself to his position.
But, yep. As I’ve just voted for the first of two times this year, and having just been in Europe through the Italian elections and Brexit, AND having nonstop coverage of the US election drama on television here, I have my limits!
I do get a little thrill when I come across a hero who actually does get involved in politics. I certainly don’t want a book full of it, but it’s nice to sometimes see a man who is getting involved and committing himself to his position.
But, yep. As I’ve just voted for the first of two times this year, and having just been in Europe through the Italian elections and Brexit, AND having nonstop coverage of the US election drama on television here, I have my limits!
I do get a little thrill when I come across a hero who actually does get involved in politics. I certainly don’t want a book full of it, but it’s nice to sometimes see a man who is getting involved and committing himself to his position.
But, yep. As I’ve just voted for the first of two times this year, and having just been in Europe through the Italian elections and Brexit, AND having nonstop coverage of the US election drama on television here, I have my limits!
LOL, love it! We need more Remembrance Hills.
LOL, love it! We need more Remembrance Hills.
LOL, love it! We need more Remembrance Hills.
LOL, love it! We need more Remembrance Hills.
LOL, love it! We need more Remembrance Hills.
I love the idea of selling things at the polls! It sure would have helped back in the days when we stood in line in the wee hours of dawn before heading off to work.
These days, all we do is stick a stamp on an envelope. Hmm, we may not even do that! It’s all mail-in. But there are still people who insist on lining up at the polls, presumably to say hi to their neighbors. Opportunity!
I love the idea of selling things at the polls! It sure would have helped back in the days when we stood in line in the wee hours of dawn before heading off to work.
These days, all we do is stick a stamp on an envelope. Hmm, we may not even do that! It’s all mail-in. But there are still people who insist on lining up at the polls, presumably to say hi to their neighbors. Opportunity!
I love the idea of selling things at the polls! It sure would have helped back in the days when we stood in line in the wee hours of dawn before heading off to work.
These days, all we do is stick a stamp on an envelope. Hmm, we may not even do that! It’s all mail-in. But there are still people who insist on lining up at the polls, presumably to say hi to their neighbors. Opportunity!
I love the idea of selling things at the polls! It sure would have helped back in the days when we stood in line in the wee hours of dawn before heading off to work.
These days, all we do is stick a stamp on an envelope. Hmm, we may not even do that! It’s all mail-in. But there are still people who insist on lining up at the polls, presumably to say hi to their neighbors. Opportunity!
I love the idea of selling things at the polls! It sure would have helped back in the days when we stood in line in the wee hours of dawn before heading off to work.
These days, all we do is stick a stamp on an envelope. Hmm, we may not even do that! It’s all mail-in. But there are still people who insist on lining up at the polls, presumably to say hi to their neighbors. Opportunity!
And you really didn’t want the ugly details any way, did you?
And you really didn’t want the ugly details any way, did you?
And you really didn’t want the ugly details any way, did you?
And you really didn’t want the ugly details any way, did you?
And you really didn’t want the ugly details any way, did you?
Details from you (or any other Word Wench) are ALWAYS interesting!
Details from you (or any other Word Wench) are ALWAYS interesting!
Details from you (or any other Word Wench) are ALWAYS interesting!
Details from you (or any other Word Wench) are ALWAYS interesting!
Details from you (or any other Word Wench) are ALWAYS interesting!