History of Parliament

Parliament: The political institution
Parliament, as a political institution, has developed over hundreds of years.

Parliament: The building
The modern Houses of Parliament have evolved through design, accident and attack.

Big Ben
The Clock Tower owes its existence to a fire in 1834 that destroyed most of Parliament. It was completed in 1859 and Parliament celebrates its 150th anniversary during 2009.

Westminster Hall
Over nine hundred years old and with the largest medieval roof in Northern Europe, Westminster Hall has survived bombs and fire and seen trials, banquets and more throughout the ages.

Key dates for Parliament 1215-1900
Signing of the Magna Carta; Gunpowder Plot; the fire of 1834.

Key dates for Parliament 1901 to present day
Parliament Acts; bombing of the Commons chamber; election of the first Lord Speaker.

History of Hansard
Unofficial printings of debates in Parliament began production in the 17th century.