March 1679 English general election

The March 1679 English general election resulted in the Habeas Corpus Parliament, named after the Habeas Corpus Act, which it enacted in May, 1679 to define and strengthen the ancient prerogative writ benefitting all subjects. It was dissolved while in recess on 12 July 1679.

March 1679 English general election

← 1661March 1679Oct 1679 →
 First partySecond partyThird party
 
LeaderAnthony Ashley CooperJohn Ernle
PartyExclusionistAnti-ExclusionistUnknown
Seats won218137167
Seat changeIncrease 79Decrease 242
The English Parliament after the March 1679 General Election

On the current issue of excluding the King's younger brother from the succession to the throne, 218 members were in favour of the Exclusion Bill, while 137 were opposed. However, 167 members did not attend the parliament at all, so their view about Exclusion is unknown.

References

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  • Henning, Basil, ed. (1983), The House of Commons, 1660–1690, The History of Parliament, Secker & Warburg
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