The early Stuart House of Lords has long been neglected in favour of its more eye-catching cousin, the House of Commons. Its contribution to parliamentary life and the role played by its members have all too often remained obscure. These volumes, based on detailed manuscript research in over 120 archives and including more than 280 biographies, represent the first scholarly attempt to remedy these deficiencies. Minor and middle-ranking peers emerge from the shadows for the first time, while figures of central political importance, such as Robert Cecil, 1st Earl of Salisbury, Prince Charles and George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham, are depicted in a new and fresh light. Accompanying the biographical volumes is a ground-breaking Introductory Survey which examines key themes, among them the changing functions and importance of the upper House. Taken together, these volumes will transform our understanding of early Stuart Parliaments.
This book shows how the Austrian Constitution has been shaped and interpreted by the fundamental events in Austria's modern history. At the same time it emphasises the way in which the Constitution establishes a parliamentary system, with additional presidential features, limited, in turn, by Austria's federal structure and the parliaments of nine states. It charts the history and character of the Constitution; the political structure; the legislative and executive branches of the federal government; public bodies; jurisdiction and fundamental Rights. This new edition explores the changing political landscape, particularly the development of a more competitive party system. It also looks at the response to COVID and the jurisprudence of the Austrian Constitutional Court in the face of the curtailment of rights in order to curb the pandemic. Offering the trademark combination of clarity of explanation and rigour of analysis that defines the series, this is an excellent guide to a fascin
