3-028-602 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The bench of bishops during the debate in the House of Lords on the Irish Church Bill, [Westminster, London], 1869. 'The upper section of the benches set on the right hand of the [Queen's] throne is devoted to the accommodation of the Archbishops and Bishops; while such of the leading members of the Government as are peers occupy the front bench immediately below them...The view shown in our Illustration, taken either from the Reporters' Gallery or Strangers' Gallery,...includes the right-hand upper corner, with all the Bishops' benches; the upper end of the front bench occupied by the Ministers, two of whom, in the ordinary costume of English laymen, are seen there; and a space beyond the barrier, near the door of the Robing-Room, to the right of the Throne, where the Privy Councillors, foreign Ambassadors, and sons of peers are permitted to stand...and to hear the debates...The open gallery overhead, filled with the wives and daughters of peers, is excluded from this view. The appearance of the most reverend and right reverend prelates, in their ample robes of black, with huge lawn sleeves, their white bands, their scarves, and aprons, is sufficiently distinguished in an assembly of gentlemen wearing the common dress of social life'. From "Illustrated London News", 1869.