The Struggle for the Scepter

The Struggle for the Scepter offers a richly-detailed narrative history of the relationship between the British Parliament and the Crown during the 18th century. Drawing on extensive primary source documents—including political pamphlets, diaries, and correspondence exchanged by major political players of the period—the book traces the gradual decline of the Crown’s power throughout the century, such that by 1800, political power had shifted to what might be called a modern parliamentary system.