List of speakers of the House of Commons of England facts for kids
The House of Commons of England was a very important part of England's government for many centuries. It was a place where elected representatives from different parts of England would meet to discuss laws and important issues. Think of it like a big meeting where people from all over the country come together to make decisions for everyone.
At these meetings, someone needed to be in charge to make sure everything ran smoothly. This person was called the Speaker. The Speaker's job was to lead the debates, keep order, and speak on behalf of the House of Commons to the King or Queen. This list tells you about the people who held this important job in England up until 1707. After 1707, England joined with Scotland to form Great Britain, and the Parliament changed.
Early Leaders: Parlours and Prolocutors (Before 1377)
Before the year 1377, the person leading the House of Commons wasn't officially called the "Speaker." They were known by different names, like the parlour or the prolocutor. These words basically meant someone who spoke for the group or led the discussions.
Some of these early leaders, like Peter de Montfort in 1258 and Peter de la Mare in 1376, definitely acted like presiding officers, meaning they were in charge of the meetings. Others were more like spokesmen, presenting the views of the Commons to the King. It's not always clear if they were fully in charge of the meetings or just spoke for the members.
For example, William Trussell was a spokesman for the Commons several times in the 1330s and 1340s. These early figures helped shape the role that the Speaker would eventually take on.
Speakers of the House of Commons (1377 to 1707)
The year 1377 is special because that's when the term Speaker was first officially used for the person leading the House of Commons. The very first person to be called "Speaker" was Sir Thomas Hungerforde.
From this point on, the Speaker's role became more defined. They were chosen by the members of the House of Commons and had a big responsibility. They had to be fair and neutral during debates, making sure everyone got a chance to speak and that the rules were followed. They also had to represent the Commons when they met with the King or Queen.
Over these centuries, many important figures held the position of Speaker. Some served multiple times, showing how trusted and experienced they were. For instance, Thomas Chaucer, the son of the famous poet Geoffrey Chaucer, served as Speaker three times between 1407 and 1421.
One famous Speaker was Sir Thomas More, who served in 1523 during the reign of King Henry VIII. He was a very smart lawyer and writer, known for his strong beliefs.
The Speaker's job wasn't always easy. Sometimes, they had to deal with difficult kings or queens, or intense arguments between members of Parliament. For example, Thomas Thorpe was even put in prison while he was Speaker in 1453! Later, Sir John Finch had to flee to Holland in 1640 because of political problems.
During the English Civil War in the 1640s, the role of Speaker became even more challenging. William Lenthall was Speaker for a long time during this period, navigating the huge changes and conflicts in the country.
As England moved closer to forming Great Britain, the Speakers continued to play a vital role in the government. They helped guide the House of Commons through many important moments in history, including the Glorious Revolution of 1688. Sir John Trevor was Speaker twice, but was even expelled for corruption in 1695, showing that even high-ranking officials faced consequences.
The last Speaker of the House of Commons of England was John Smith, who served until 1707. After this, the Parliaments of England and Scotland joined together to form the House of Commons of Great Britain.
For a list of Speakers of the House of Commons of Great Britain from 1707 to 1800 and of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom from 1801 onwards, you can visit the List of speakers of the British House of Commons article.
