The Commonplace Book of Sir Thomas Duppa

Sir Thomas Duppa (1619–1694) in 1683 was made Gentleman of the Black Rod – frequently shortened to Black Rod – an office he held until his death at the age of 75. The gentleman usher of the Black Rod′s responsibilities ranged from the ceremonial and rituals of the Order of the Garter to the everyday functioning of the House of Lords. During his time as Black Rod, Sir Thomas Duppa compiled The Commonplace Book for his own use. It sheds scarce and important light not only on how the Lords was actually managed, and the daily routines that aided its running in a period of constitutional change and political revolution, but also on the personalities of the period. Vital information on the disputes that took place over precedence and responsibilities between those employed at court and those working in parliament reveal that very little passed without problem and neither place was entirely happy. Although not actually unique, The Commonplace Book is an extremely rare survival from the late seventeenth century, offering invaluable insights and information for students and scholars of parliamentary and constitutional history.

Alasdair Hawkyard is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries and the Royal Historical Society. He was formerly Co–editor and Principal Research Assistant on the 1509–1558 section of the History of Parliament. His long–standing interest in architectural, social and political history is reflected in a range of articles published in Parliamentary History as well as other academic journals.

Sir John Sainty was Clerk of the Parliaments from 1983–1990. For four years he was editor of the office holder series published by the Institute of Historical Research. In addition to Officials of the Royal Household (with Robert O. Bucholz, 2 vols, 1997, 1998), he has published extensively on the history and procedure of parliament and on office holders under the crown.