Parliament the biography

For some reason we often find ourselves looking back to, "the good old days," thinking of a time when things were simpler, more sedate, and easier to live in. As we all know, there has never been such a time and the troubles and difficulties we experience are pretty much the same ones that have plagued humankind throughout history. This point was driven home in the terrific book written by Chris Bryant. As he deftly illustrates, politics is just as cut-throat, manipulative, and full of shenanigans in the early evolution of parliament as it is today.

I confess to being shocked at the tumult that accompanied the building of democracy in the United Kingdom. So much so that it is amazing that the institution survived, much less grew. For example, piss off a king? You were dead. Upset the ruling factions? Your head was removed from your shoulders. Back the wrong players? A spot of being hung, drawn and quartered was your reward. These guys were brutal and yet society still churned out men who were willing to take a stand even when they knew a wrong word would have you languishing in the tower of London. No kidding, there are page after page of well meaning politicians who ended up with their head on a spike. (To be fair, there are a few today I would not mind meeting the same fate, but really!)

With all of this carnage going on, the institution still managed to grow, by fits and starts, often at the whim of the ruling monarch and slowly began to benefit the nation. Yes, corruption abounded, but here and there good was done. The author also shows the role Catholicism, Protestantism and Anglicism played along with the influence of the crown before democracy began holding sway. Even that was harried by literally buying elections, but progress it did. Executions made way for duels of honor, some of which were comical, others, not so much, and the British Isles began to reform themselves.

Fascinating, with a massive cast of characters, this is a well-told look at an institution that survives to this day. Volume one only takes us through to the 18th century, but does include a look a Scotland and Ireland as well. While definitely a warts and all look at history, it provides the reader with an unvarnished look at an age old institution and one that is worth the read.