Rage of Party

The Rage of Party was the tumultuous period in English politics directly after the Glorious Revolution of 1688 until c. 1715. This period was characterised by political instability brought about by increased partisanship within Parliament and frequent elections. Eleven Parliaments met in this period, partly as a result of the Triennial Act, which meant a general election had to be held every three years. In fact, on average an election was held every two and a half years.[1]

The period ended with the Hanoverian succession and the passage of the Septennial Act 1716 allowing up to seven years between elections.

  1. ^ The Rage of Parliaments: The House of Commons, 1690 –1715, The Historical Journal, 48, 2 (2005), pp. 567–587, http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayFulltext?type=1&fid=307221&jid=HIS&volumeId=48&issueId=02&aid=307220