First Journal of the House of Commons

The first manuscript Journal of the House of Commons dates from 1547. The Journal, which records the proceedings of the House, was the brainchild of John Seymour (1523-1567) who became Clerk of the House of Commons that year and who held the office until 1567. Seymour had previously served as a member for West Bedwin in the last Parliament of Henry VIII. Being of an orderly mind he began to  keep a record of the day's businesss. This journal covers the entire period of his clerkship.

This page from Tuesday 8th November 1547 records the first parliamentary session of King Edward VI's reign. It details a number of bills introduced in the Commons, the first entry being ‘The Bill for the bringing up of poor Men's Children'.