Queen Anne in the House of Lords.
The Parliament of Great Britain is the supreme legislative body of England and Scotland, and the overseas territories of the British Empire. It ihas two branches, the House of Commons and the House of Lords. Whitehall is often used as a metonym for Parliament.
History[]
Background[]
The Parliament of Great Britain was formed following the ratification of the Acts of Union by both the English and Scottish parliaments. They are headquartered in the Palace of Westminster in Whitehall.
Recent History[]
In 1705, Lord Thomas Hamilton began a political campaign in Parliament to grant a universal pardon to the pirates of Nassau. His father, Lord Alfred Hamilton, believes that it is the act of a traitor to pardon a traitor. He believes that this idea is revolting and politically dangerous. Thomas begins campaigning in Whitehall with the help of his wife, Miranda, his Liaison to the Admiralty, Lieutenant James McGraw, and Lord Peter Ashe, who volunteers his help.[1]
As the process continues, Lieutenant McGraw is sent to Nassau to assess the situation. While he is there, the pirates finally rebel against the governor, Robert Thompson, who maintained nominal rule over New Providence Island while accepting bribes from the pirate captains. Thompson’s wife and son are murdered by the pirates. He is allowed to flee in order to spread the word of who now rules New Providence. This complicates things for the pro pardon camp, and McGraw offers to take this to the Admiralty.. Ashe is skeptical that the Navy will do anything without go ahead from Parliament, but McGraw is convinced that if the Sea Lords recommend this as a strategy, Parliament will be convinced. Before he can take this to Admiral Hennessey, Lord Alfred tells the admiral of McGraw’s affair with Thomas. Thomas is taken to mental hospital, and McGraw and Miranda are exiled.[2]
Season One[]
Richard Guthrie makes news of the arrest by the British authorities public to the pirates of Nassau in order to destroy the fence operation there. Eleanor, his daughter, confronts him about this afterward. He tells her that he is forging alliances for them with the landowners in the interior, who will drive commerce once the pirates are gone and will be indispensable to the lords in Parliament.[3]
Season Two[]
Richard tells Flint that his plan to both court Lord Ashe in making a case to Parliament to pardon the pirates of Nassau and retrieve the treasure from the Urca de Lima conflict. Richard tells Flint that while Peter Ashe makes his case, in the next room the ambassador to the court of King Philip will be demanding that Whitehall denounce the act or risk war breaking out between the two empires.[4]
Flint succeeds in delivering Abigail Ashe to her father in Charles Town and gaining an audience with his old friend. Ashe tells them that New Providence will only succeed insofar as its governor can make it succeed. He tells Flint and Mrs. Barlow that if he were to make the case to his friends in Whitehall, the first question they’ll ask is a name for who should be made governor. Ashe asks if Flint intends to be that man, but Flint says he can help organize the colony in its early days, but after that he plans in retiring to the interior with Miranda. Ashe tells them that there are men in Whitehall who would look favorably upon this proposal on religious or economic grounds, but other men would refuse due to their pride. Ashe tells flint that there are men who fear him and think that capitulating to him would be humiliating. Ashe tells Flint that he’d have to confess to his crimes and tell them the truth about his relationship with Thomas.[5]
Season Three[]
Parliament backs Woodes Rogers in becoming the new Governor of New Providence Island. They loan him money to aid in his venture, as well as granting him an escort of three Royal Navy ships and 700 British Regulars. He believes that if necessary, he can persuade them to push back the deadline of his payment, but he cannot do so with Spain.[6]
Members of Parliament[]
- Lord Alfred Hamilton (deceased)
- Lord Thomas Hamilton (formerly)
- Lord Peter Ashe (formerly; deceased)
- Lord Philpott
- Lord Sutton
- Lord Dunster
- Lord Form
- Lord Lewis