The National Club was established on 17 June 1845 'in support of the Protestant principles of the constitution and for raising the moral and social condition of the people'. It campaigned against any alterations in the establishment of church and state and in the organisation of education which would, in its view, strengthen the position of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Ireland.

The papers consist of minute books, annual reports and printed pamphlets. Most of the pamphlets were published between 1845 and 1848 and reflect the members' agitation against such measures as the Maynooth College Bill of 1845, the Roman Catholic Relief Bills of 1846-8 and the Jewish Disabilities Bill of 1848. They include 'Addresses to Protestants of the Empire', speeches, petitions and reports of divisions in the House of Commons, some issued by the Club's committee and others by individual members of the Club. There are also circulars relating to the organisation of the Club.

The papers were deposited in the Bodleian in 1983.

Entry to read in the Library is permitted only on presentation of a valid reader's card (for admissions procedures see http://www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/services/admissions/).

A full description is available in the Library.

Protestants | Great Britain | 19th century

Protestants | Great Britain | 20th century

National Club, London