To mark the paperback publication today of Mr Barry’s War. Rebuilding the Houses of Parliament after the great fire of 1834, I interview myself on how it came about. Q. Hello readers. Today we’re with Caroline Shenton to talk about her new book, Mr Barry’s War. Welcome, Caroline! A. Thanks, Caroline, it’s a pleasure to be here [sips a […]
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Moonlighting
Lots of people have been asking me about the striking cover of Mr Barry’s War (out in paperback next week) so here’s a little more about it. The painting belongs to the Government Art Collection (ref GAC 12453). I’d no idea where it hung when I suggested it as an image for the dust jacket but romantically liked […]
Parliament Buildings of the World: No 10 – Iceland
Although I left Westminster last year, I still can’t resist exploring Parliamentary sites when I’m on holiday. This summer I’m in Iceland for a few days and that brings me to the great-grandmother of all legislative locations: Thingvellir. The ancient Icelandic Parliament, the Althingi, arose here in 930CE and met every summer until the thirteenth […]
The Silence of the Bells
The restoration work to Big Ben and the Clock Tower of the Houses of Parliament, which began last Monday will take for four years to complete and has provoked a flurry of media interest because of the pearl-clutching response of some MPs to the news. Here’s a piece I wrote for the Guardian about it. […]
Petitions against the new Houses of Parliament
Did you know that the rebuilding of the Palace of Westminster led to a rash of complaints in 1837 by the neighbours? If not, read on…
A Westminster Boy Made Good
One of the most fascinating things about Charles Barry, architect of the new Palace of Westminster, is that he was born and brought up in the shadow of the old one. Find out more in my blogpost for the Victorian House of Commons project at the History of Parliament…
