author

Henry Elsynge

d. 1656

Best known for shaping how the English House of Commons recorded and managed its business, this 17th-century parliamentary clerk also left behind an early guide to parliamentary procedure. His life sits at the crossroads of law, politics, and the practical workings of government.

1 Audiobook

A Remonstrance of the State of the Kingdom

A Remonstrance of the State of the Kingdom

by England and Wales. Parliament. House of Commons, Henry Elsynge

About the author

Born around 1606, Henry Elsynge was an English parliamentary official who became clerk of the House of Commons. He was the son of Henry Elsynge the elder, who had held the same office, and he built his career in the world of law and Parliament during one of the most turbulent periods in English political history.

Elsynge is remembered not only for his work as a clerk but also for writing about parliamentary practice. His writings helped explain how the Commons conducted its business, making him an important figure for anyone interested in the history of parliamentary procedure.

He died on September 30, 1656. Although he is not a widely known literary figure today, his work remains valuable as a window into how Parliament functioned in 17th-century England.