Berkshire (UK Parliament constituency)
Encyclopedia
Berkshire was a parliamentary constituency
in England
, represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of England
until 1707, then of the Parliament of Great Britain
from 1707 to 1800 and of the Parliament of the United Kingdom
from 1801 to 1885. The county returned two knights of the shire
until 1832 and three between 1832 and 1885.
, in south-eastern England to the west of the modern Greater London
region. Its northern boundary was the River Thames
. See Historic counties of England
for a map and other details. The Great Reform Act made some minor changes to the parliamentary boundaries of the county, transferring parts of five parishes to neighbouring counties while annexing parts of four other parishes which had previously been in Wiltshire
.
The county, up to 1885, also contained the borough constituencies
of Abingdon
(1 seat from 1558), New Windsor
(2 seats 1302-1868, 1 seat from 1868), Reading
(2 seats from 1295) and Wallingford
(2 seats 1295-1832, 1 seat from 1832). (Although these boroughs elected MPs in their own right, they was not excluded from the county constituency, and owning property within the borough could confer a vote at the county election.)
, which gave the right to vote to every man who possessed freehold property within the county valued at £2 or more per year for the purposes of land tax; it was not necessary for the freeholder to occupy his land, nor even in later years to be resident in the county at all.
At the time of the Great Reform Act in 1832, Berkshire had a population of approximately 145,000, but only 3,726 votes were cast at the election of 1818, the highest recorded vote in the county before 1832, even though each voter could cast two votes. Although local landowners could never control a county the size of Berkshire in the way they could own a pocket borough, titled magnates still exercised considerable influence over deferential county voters; in the early 19th century Lord Craven
and Lord Braybrooke were considered the "patrons" of the Berkshire constituency and could usually persuade the voters to support their favoured candidates.
The place of election for the county was at the then county town
of Abingdon
. In 1880, according to the report in The Times (of London), the ballot boxes were taken to Reading
for the count and declaration of the result, instead of this being done at Abingdon as had happened previously. Before the Reform Act it was normal for voters to expect the candidates for whom they voted to meet their expenses in travelling to the poll and to provide food, liquor and lodgings when they arrived, making the cost of a contested election in some counties prohibitive, but this was less of a factor in a comparatively small county like Berkshire, and contested elections were not uncommon. Nevertheless, potential candidates preferred to canvass support beforehand and usually did not insist on a vote being taken unless they were confident of winning.(There were contests in Berkshire at 11 of the 29 general elections between 1701 and 1832, but the other 18 the candidates were returned unopposed.)
Under the terms of the Great Reform Act of 1832, the county franchise was extended to occupiers of land worth £50 or more, as well as the forty-shilling freeholders, and Berkshire was given a third MP. Under the new rules, 5,582 electors were registered and entitled to vote at the general election of 1832.
The constituency was abolished in 1885, the county being divided into five single-member constituencies. These were the one surviving borough, Reading
, and four county divisions - Abingdon
, Newbury
, Windsor
and Wokingham
. (The other three parliamentary boroughs in the county, Abingdon
, New Windsor
and Wallingford
were also abolished and absorbed into the county constituencies.)
system was used. Voters could cast a vote for one or two (or three in three-member elections 1832-1868) candidates, as they chose. The leading candidates with the largest number of votes were elected. In 1868 the limited vote was introduced, which restricted an individual elector to using one or two votes, in elections to fill three seats.
In by-elections, to fill a single seat, the first past the post system applied.
After 1832, when registration of voters was introduced, a turnout figure is given for contested elections. In three-member elections, when the exact number of participating voters is unknown, this is calculated by dividing the number of votes by three (to 1868) and two thereafter. To the extent that electors did not use all their votes this will be an underestimate of turnout.
Where a party had more than one candidate in one or both of a pair of successive elections change is calculated for each individual candidate, otherwise change is based on the party vote.
Candidates for whom no party has been identified are classified as Non Partisan. The candidate might have been associated with a party or faction in Parliament or consider himself to belong to a particular political tradition. Political parties before the 19th century were not as cohesive or organised as they later became. Contemporary commentators (even the reputed leaders of parties or factions) in the 18th century did not necessarily agree who the party supporters were. The traditional parties, which had arisen in the late 17th century, became increasingly irrelevant to politics in the 18th century (particularly after 1760), although for some contests in some constituencies party labels were still used. It was only towards the end of the century that party labels began to acquire some meaning again, although this process was by no means complete for several more generations.
Sources: The results are based on the History of Parliament Trust's volumes on the House of Commons in various periods for 1660–1820, Stooks Smith from 1820 until 1832 and Craig from 1832. Where Stooks Smith gives additional information this is indicated in a note. See references below for further details of these sources.
United Kingdom constituencies
In the United Kingdom , each of the electoral areas or divisions called constituencies elects one or more members to a parliament or assembly.Within the United Kingdom there are now five bodies with members elected by constituencies:...
in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of England
Parliament of England
The Parliament of England was the legislature of the Kingdom of England. In 1066, William of Normandy introduced a feudal system, by which he sought the advice of a council of tenants-in-chief and ecclesiastics before making laws...
until 1707, then of the Parliament of Great Britain
Parliament of Great Britain
The Parliament of Great Britain was formed in 1707 following the ratification of the Acts of Union by both the Parliament of England and Parliament of Scotland...
from 1707 to 1800 and of the Parliament of the United Kingdom
Parliament of the United Kingdom
The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative body in the United Kingdom, British Crown dependencies and British overseas territories, located in London...
from 1801 to 1885. The county returned two knights of the shire
Knights of the Shire
From the creation of the Parliament of England in mediaeval times until 1826 each county of England and Wales sent two Knights of the Shire as members of Parliament to represent the interests of the county, when the number of knights from Yorkshire was increased to four...
until 1832 and three between 1832 and 1885.
Boundaries and boundary changes
This county constituency consisted of the historic county of BerkshireBerkshire
Berkshire is a historic county in the South of England. It is also often referred to as the Royal County of Berkshire because of the presence of the royal residence of Windsor Castle in the county; this usage, which dates to the 19th century at least, was recognised by the Queen in 1957, and...
, in south-eastern England to the west of the modern Greater London
Greater London
Greater London is the top-level administrative division of England covering London. It was created in 1965 and spans the City of London, including Middle Temple and Inner Temple, and the 32 London boroughs. This territory is coterminate with the London Government Office Region and the London...
region. Its northern boundary was the River Thames
River Thames
The River Thames flows through southern England. It is the longest river entirely in England and the second longest in the United Kingdom. While it is best known because its lower reaches flow through central London, the river flows alongside several other towns and cities, including Oxford,...
. See Historic counties of England
Historic counties of England
The historic counties of England are subdivisions of England established for administration by the Normans and in most cases based on earlier Anglo-Saxon kingdoms and shires...
for a map and other details. The Great Reform Act made some minor changes to the parliamentary boundaries of the county, transferring parts of five parishes to neighbouring counties while annexing parts of four other parishes which had previously been in Wiltshire
Wiltshire
Wiltshire is a ceremonial county in South West England. It is landlocked and borders the counties of Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire. It contains the unitary authority of Swindon and covers...
.
The county, up to 1885, also contained the borough constituencies
Parliamentary borough
Parliamentary boroughs are a type of administrative division, usually covering urban areas, that are entitled to representation in a Parliament...
of Abingdon
Abingdon (UK Parliament constituency)
Abingdon was a constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom , electing one Member of Parliament from 1558 until 1983...
(1 seat from 1558), New Windsor
Windsor (UK Parliament constituency)
Windsor is a county constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. In its modern form, it elects one Member of Parliament by the first-past-the-post system of election.-Boundaries:...
(2 seats 1302-1868, 1 seat from 1868), Reading
Reading (UK Parliament constituency)
Reading was a parliamentary borough, and later a borough constituency, represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It comprised the town of Reading in the county of Berkshire....
(2 seats from 1295) and Wallingford
Wallingford (UK Parliament constituency)
Wallingford was a constituency in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.It was a parliamentary borough created in 1295, centred on the market town Wallingford in Berkshire . It used to return two Members of Parliament to the House of Commons; this was cut to one in 1832, and...
(2 seats 1295-1832, 1 seat from 1832). (Although these boroughs elected MPs in their own right, they was not excluded from the county constituency, and owning property within the borough could confer a vote at the county election.)
History
As in other county constituencies the franchise between 1430 and 1832 was defined by the Forty Shilling Freeholder ActForty Shilling Freeholders
Forty shilling freeholders were a group of landowners who had the Parliamentary franchise to vote in county constituencies in various parts of the British Isles. In England it was the only such qualification from 1430 until 1832...
, which gave the right to vote to every man who possessed freehold property within the county valued at £2 or more per year for the purposes of land tax; it was not necessary for the freeholder to occupy his land, nor even in later years to be resident in the county at all.
At the time of the Great Reform Act in 1832, Berkshire had a population of approximately 145,000, but only 3,726 votes were cast at the election of 1818, the highest recorded vote in the county before 1832, even though each voter could cast two votes. Although local landowners could never control a county the size of Berkshire in the way they could own a pocket borough, titled magnates still exercised considerable influence over deferential county voters; in the early 19th century Lord Craven
William Craven, 2nd Earl of Craven
William Craven, 2nd Earl of Craven , styled Viscount Uffington until 1825, was a British peer.He inherited the earldom in 1825 from his father, William Craven, 1st Earl of Craven...
and Lord Braybrooke were considered the "patrons" of the Berkshire constituency and could usually persuade the voters to support their favoured candidates.
The place of election for the county was at the then county town
County town
A county town is a county's administrative centre in the United Kingdom or Ireland. County towns are usually the location of administrative or judicial functions, or established over time as the de facto main town of a county. The concept of a county town eventually became detached from its...
of Abingdon
Abingdon, Oxfordshire
Abingdon or archaically Abingdon-on-Thames is a market town and civil parish in Oxfordshire, England. It is the seat of the Vale of White Horse district. Previously the county town of Berkshire, Abingdon is one of several places that claim to be Britain's oldest continuously occupied town, with...
. In 1880, according to the report in The Times (of London), the ballot boxes were taken to Reading
Reading, Berkshire
Reading is a large town and unitary authority area in England. It is located in the Thames Valley at the confluence of the River Thames and River Kennet, and on both the Great Western Main Line railway and the M4 motorway, some west of London....
for the count and declaration of the result, instead of this being done at Abingdon as had happened previously. Before the Reform Act it was normal for voters to expect the candidates for whom they voted to meet their expenses in travelling to the poll and to provide food, liquor and lodgings when they arrived, making the cost of a contested election in some counties prohibitive, but this was less of a factor in a comparatively small county like Berkshire, and contested elections were not uncommon. Nevertheless, potential candidates preferred to canvass support beforehand and usually did not insist on a vote being taken unless they were confident of winning.(There were contests in Berkshire at 11 of the 29 general elections between 1701 and 1832, but the other 18 the candidates were returned unopposed.)
Under the terms of the Great Reform Act of 1832, the county franchise was extended to occupiers of land worth £50 or more, as well as the forty-shilling freeholders, and Berkshire was given a third MP. Under the new rules, 5,582 electors were registered and entitled to vote at the general election of 1832.
The constituency was abolished in 1885, the county being divided into five single-member constituencies. These were the one surviving borough, Reading
Reading (UK Parliament constituency)
Reading was a parliamentary borough, and later a borough constituency, represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It comprised the town of Reading in the county of Berkshire....
, and four county divisions - Abingdon
Abingdon (UK Parliament constituency)
Abingdon was a constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom , electing one Member of Parliament from 1558 until 1983...
, Newbury
Newbury (UK Parliament constituency)
Newbury is a parliamentary constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It returns one Member of Parliament , elected by the first-past-the-post voting system....
, Windsor
Windsor (UK Parliament constituency)
Windsor is a county constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. In its modern form, it elects one Member of Parliament by the first-past-the-post system of election.-Boundaries:...
and Wokingham
Wokingham (UK Parliament constituency)
Wokingham is a parliamentary constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election.-Boundaries:...
. (The other three parliamentary boroughs in the county, Abingdon
Abingdon (UK Parliament constituency)
Abingdon was a constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom , electing one Member of Parliament from 1558 until 1983...
, New Windsor
Windsor (UK Parliament constituency)
Windsor is a county constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. In its modern form, it elects one Member of Parliament by the first-past-the-post system of election.-Boundaries:...
and Wallingford
Wallingford (UK Parliament constituency)
Wallingford was a constituency in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.It was a parliamentary borough created in 1295, centred on the market town Wallingford in Berkshire . It used to return two Members of Parliament to the House of Commons; this was cut to one in 1832, and...
were also abolished and absorbed into the county constituencies.)
Members of Parliament
- Constituency created (1265): See Simon de Montfort, 6th Earl of LeicesterSimon de Montfort, 6th Earl of LeicesterSimon de Montfort, 6th Earl of Leicester, 1st Earl of Chester , sometimes referred to as Simon V de Montfort to distinguish him from other Simon de Montforts, was an Anglo-Norman nobleman. He led the barons' rebellion against King Henry III of England during the Second Barons' War of 1263-4, and...
and De Montfort's ParliamentDe Montfort's ParliamentDe Montfort's Parliament was an English parliament of 1265, instigated by Simon de Montfort, a baronial rebel leader. Although this gathering did not have the approval of king Henry III, and the members convened without royal approval, most scholars believe this was the first gathering in England...
for further details. Knights of the shireKnights of the ShireFrom the creation of the Parliament of England in mediaeval times until 1826 each county of England and Wales sent two Knights of the Shire as members of Parliament to represent the interests of the county, when the number of knights from Yorkshire was increased to four...
are known to have been summoned to most Parliaments from 1290 (19th Parliament of King Edward I of EnglandEdward I of EnglandEdward I , also known as Edward Longshanks and the Hammer of the Scots, was King of England from 1272 to 1307. The first son of Henry III, Edward was involved early in the political intrigues of his father's reign, which included an outright rebellion by the English barons...
) and to every one from 1320 (19th Parliament of King Edward II of EnglandEdward II of EnglandEdward II , called Edward of Caernarfon, was King of England from 1307 until he was deposed by his wife Isabella in January 1327. He was the sixth Plantagenet king, in a line that began with the reign of Henry II...
).
Knights of the shire 1265-1660
Some of the members elected during this period have been identified, but this list does not include Parliaments where no member has been identified. The year given is for the first meeting of the Parliament, with the month added where there was more than one Parliament in the year. If a second year is given this is a date of dissolution. Early Parliaments usually only existed for a few days or weeks, so dissolutions in the same year as the first meeting are not recorded in this list If a specific date of election is known this is recorded in italic brackets. The roman numerals in brackets, following somne names, are those used to distinguish different politicians of the same name in 'The House of Commons' 1509-1558 and 1558-1603.| Parliament | First member | Second member |
|---|---|---|
| 1300 | Hugh le Blount | |
| 1307 | Hugh le Blount | |
| 1313 | Hugh le Blount (twice) | |
| 1327 | Thomas Foxle | |
| 1332 | Thomas Foxle | |
| 1338 | Thomas Foxle | |
| 1370 | Sir Thomas Foxle | |
| 1372 | Sir Thomas Foxle | |
| 1388 (Feb) | Laurence Drew | Edmund Sparsholt |
| 1388 (Sep) | Laurence Drew | William Golafre |
| 1390 (Jan) | Richard Brouns | Sir John Kentwood |
| 1390 (Nov) | John Arches | Thomas Childrey |
| 1391 | Laurence Drew | John Eastbury |
| 1393 | Sir John Kentwood | Edmund Sparsholt |
| 1394 | Sir Richard Adderbury | Sir William Langford |
| 1395 | William Brouns | William Wood |
| 1397 (Jan) | Sir Richard Adderbury | Robert James |
| 1397 (Sep) | John Englefield | John Hartington |
| 1399 | Robert James | Edmund Sparsholt |
| 1401 | John Golafre | Thomas Gloucester |
| 1402 | John Arches | Robert James |
| 1404 (Jan) | Sir William Langford | Edmund Sparsholt |
| 1404 (Oct) | John Arches | John Golafre |
| 1406 | Thomas Childrey | Laurence Drew |
| 1407 | John Golafre | Edmund Sparsholt |
| 1410 | John Golafre | Robert James |
| 1411 | ||
| 1413 (Feb) | ||
| 1413 (May) | John Golafre | Robert de la Mare |
| 1414 (Apr) | John Golafre | Edmund Sparsholt |
| 1414 (Nov) | Laurence Drew | John Shotesbrook |
| 1415 | ||
| 1416 (Mar) | Sir Peter Bessels | John Golafre |
| 1416 (Oct) | ||
| 1417 | Robert de la Mare | Thomas Rothwell |
| 1419 | Thomas Beckingham | John Shotesbrook |
| 1420 | William Danvers | Thomas Rothwell |
| 1421 (May) | William Fynderne | John Golafre |
| 1421 (Dec) | William Danvers | William Perkins |
| 1510 | Sir Thomas Englefield Thomas Englefield Sir Thomas Englefield was Speaker of the House of Commons.He was born to John Englefield, probably in Englefield in Berkshire around 1455, whose family had been Lords of the Manor there for many generations... |
? |
| 1512 | ||
| 1515 | ||
| 1529 | Sir William Essex William Essex Sir William Essex was the High Sheriff and MP for Berkshire in England.Sir William was the son of Thomas Essex of Lambourn in Berkshire and his wife, Elizabeth daughter of William Babthorpe of Elstone in Leicestershire. He married Elizabeth, daughter and heiress of Thomas Rogers of Beckett Hall in... |
Sir Richard Weston |
| 1536 | ||
| 1539 | Sir Thomas Pope Thomas Pope Sir Thomas Pope , founder of Trinity College, Oxford, was born at Deddington, near Banbury, Oxfordshire, probably in 1507, for he was about sixteen years old when his father, a yeoman farmer, died in 1523.... |
Richard Brydges Richard Brydges Richard Brydges was an English politician.Sir Richard Brydges was the Member of Parliament for Berkshire from 1539 to 1540 and, at other times, for Ludgershall... |
| 1542 | Sir William Essex William Essex Sir William Essex was the High Sheriff and MP for Berkshire in England.Sir William was the son of Thomas Essex of Lambourn in Berkshire and his wife, Elizabeth daughter of William Babthorpe of Elstone in Leicestershire. He married Elizabeth, daughter and heiress of Thomas Rogers of Beckett Hall in... |
Thomas Weldon Thomas Weldon Thomas Weldon was an English politician and member of the Royal household during the Tudor period.Thomas was the son of Hugh Weldon, Sewer to King Henry VIII. He lived at Cannon Court at Cookham in Berkshire. He married twice and had seven children. He was the uncle of Edward Weldon MP. Thomas was... |
| 1545 | ||
| 1547 | Henry Norreys Henry Norris, 1st Baron Norreys Henry Norris , Baron Norris belonged to an old Berkshire family, many members of which had held positions at the English court. He was the son of Sir Henry Norreys, who was beheaded for his supposed adultery with Queen Anne Boleyn, and Mary Fiennes Henry Norris (or Norreys), Baron Norris (15257... |
Thomas Denton Thomas Denton Thomas Denton was an English lawyer and politician, a Member of Parliament from 1536 until his death in 1558. He was elected, consecutively, by six parliamentary consituencies: Wallingford , Oxford , Berkshire , Banbury , Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire... |
| 1553 (Mar) | Sir Henry Neville Henry Neville (Gentleman of the Privy Chamber) Sir Henry Neville was Gentleman of the Privy chamber to King Edward VI.-Family background:Sir Henry Neville's father was Sir Edward Neville Sir Henry Neville (ca. 1520 – 1593) was Gentleman of the Privy chamber to King Edward VI.-Family background:Sir Henry Neville's father was Sir Edward... |
Sir William Fitzwilliam (I) |
| 1553 (Oct) | Sir Francis Englefield Francis Englefield Sir Francis Englefield was an English Roman Catholic politician.Born probably about 1520, he was the eldest son of Sir Thomas Englefield of Englefield, Berkshire, justice of the common pleas. His mother was Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Robert Throckmorton, one of the well-known Catholic family of... |
William Hyde William Hyde (High Sheriff of Berkshire) William Hyde was an English politician in the Tudor period.William was the eldest son of Oliver Hyde of South Denchworth, near Wantage, in Berkshire , and his wife, Anne, daughter of Thomas Lovingcott of Goring & Lovedays in Elmington in Oxfordshire. He inherited Denchworth upon his father's death... |
| 1554 (Apr) | Sir Richard Brydges | William Hyde William Hyde (High Sheriff of Berkshire) William Hyde was an English politician in the Tudor period.William was the eldest son of Oliver Hyde of South Denchworth, near Wantage, in Berkshire , and his wife, Anne, daughter of Thomas Lovingcott of Goring & Lovedays in Elmington in Oxfordshire. He inherited Denchworth upon his father's death... |
| 1554 (Nov) | Sir Francis Englefield Francis Englefield Sir Francis Englefield was an English Roman Catholic politician.Born probably about 1520, he was the eldest son of Sir Thomas Englefield of Englefield, Berkshire, justice of the common pleas. His mother was Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Robert Throckmorton, one of the well-known Catholic family of... |
Sir Richard Brydges |
| 1555 | Sir Francis Englefield Francis Englefield Sir Francis Englefield was an English Roman Catholic politician.Born probably about 1520, he was the eldest son of Sir Thomas Englefield of Englefield, Berkshire, justice of the common pleas. His mother was Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Robert Throckmorton, one of the well-known Catholic family of... |
William Hyde William Hyde (High Sheriff of Berkshire) William Hyde was an English politician in the Tudor period.William was the eldest son of Oliver Hyde of South Denchworth, near Wantage, in Berkshire , and his wife, Anne, daughter of Thomas Lovingcott of Goring & Lovedays in Elmington in Oxfordshire. He inherited Denchworth upon his father's death... |
| 1558 | Sir Francis Englefield Francis Englefield Sir Francis Englefield was an English Roman Catholic politician.Born probably about 1520, he was the eldest son of Sir Thomas Englefield of Englefield, Berkshire, justice of the common pleas. His mother was Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Robert Throckmorton, one of the well-known Catholic family of... |
John Fettiplace |
| 1558–1559 | Sir William Fitzwilliam (I) | Sir Henry Neville Henry Neville (Gentleman of the Privy Chamber) Sir Henry Neville was Gentleman of the Privy chamber to King Edward VI.-Family background:Sir Henry Neville's father was Sir Edward Neville Sir Henry Neville (ca. 1520 – 1593) was Gentleman of the Privy chamber to King Edward VI.-Family background:Sir Henry Neville's father was Sir Edward... |
| 1562–1563 | Sir Henry Neville Henry Neville (Gentleman of the Privy Chamber) Sir Henry Neville was Gentleman of the Privy chamber to King Edward VI.-Family background:Sir Henry Neville's father was Sir Edward Neville Sir Henry Neville (ca. 1520 – 1593) was Gentleman of the Privy chamber to King Edward VI.-Family background:Sir Henry Neville's father was Sir Edward... |
John Cheney |
| 1571 | Sir Henry Neville Henry Neville (Gentleman of the Privy Chamber) Sir Henry Neville was Gentleman of the Privy chamber to King Edward VI.-Family background:Sir Henry Neville's father was Sir Edward Neville Sir Henry Neville (ca. 1520 – 1593) was Gentleman of the Privy chamber to King Edward VI.-Family background:Sir Henry Neville's father was Sir Edward... |
Richard Warde |
| 1572 (Apr) | Sir Edward Unton | William Forster, died and replaced Feb 1576 by William Norris, also died and was repl. in 1580 by ?Edward Hoby Edward Hoby Sir Edward Hoby was a diplomat, Member of Parliament, scholar, and soldier in England during the reigns of Elizabeth I and James I... |
| 1584 (Nov) | Sir Henry Neville Henry Neville (Gentleman of the Privy Chamber) Sir Henry Neville was Gentleman of the Privy chamber to King Edward VI.-Family background:Sir Henry Neville's father was Sir Edward Neville Sir Henry Neville (ca. 1520 – 1593) was Gentleman of the Privy chamber to King Edward VI.-Family background:Sir Henry Neville's father was Sir Edward... |
Edward Unton Edward Unton (captain) Edward Unton was an English landowner and MP.He was the eldest son of Sir Edward Unton of Wadley, Berkshire and Anne, the daughter of Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset and widow of John Dudley, 2nd Earl of Warwick... |
| 1586 (Oct) | Edward Unton Edward Unton (captain) Edward Unton was an English landowner and MP.He was the eldest son of Sir Edward Unton of Wadley, Berkshire and Anne, the daughter of Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset and widow of John Dudley, 2nd Earl of Warwick... |
Thomas Parry Thomas Parry (ambassador) Sir Thomas Parry was an English politician and diplomat during the Tudor period.Thomas Parry was the son of Sir Thomas Parry Senior of Welford Park in Berkshire, the Controller of the Royal Household, by his wife, Anne, the daughter of Sir William Reade of Boarstall in Buckinghamshire.He first... |
| 1588 (Oct) | Sir Henry Norreys Henry Norreys (colonel-general) Henry Norris was an English soldier and politician during the Tudor period.-Early life:The fourth son of Henry Norris, 1st Baron Norreys, he matriculated at Magdalen College, Oxford in 1571, and was created M.A. in 1588... (II) |
Sir Edward Hoby Edward Hoby Sir Edward Hoby was a diplomat, Member of Parliament, scholar, and soldier in England during the reigns of Elizabeth I and James I... |
| 1593 | Sir Henry Unton | Sir Humphrey Forster |
| 1597 (Sep) | Sir Henry Norreys Henry Norreys (colonel-general) Henry Norris was an English soldier and politician during the Tudor period.-Early life:The fourth son of Henry Norris, 1st Baron Norreys, he matriculated at Magdalen College, Oxford in 1571, and was created M.A. in 1588... (II) |
Francis Knollys Francis Knollys (admiral) Sir Francis Knollys was an English privateer and politician who sat in the House of Commons at various times between 1575 and 1648.... |
| 1601 | Sir Richard Lovelace Richard Lovelace, 1st Baron Lovelace Richard Lovelace, 1st Baron Lovelace was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons at various times between 1601 and 1622. He was raised to the peerage as Baron Lovelace in 1627.... |
George Hyde |
| 1604 | Sir Henry Neville | Francis Knollys Francis Knollys (admiral) Sir Francis Knollys was an English privateer and politician who sat in the House of Commons at various times between 1575 and 1648.... |
| 1614 | Sir Henry Neville | Sir Thomas Parry Thomas Parry (ambassador) Sir Thomas Parry was an English politician and diplomat during the Tudor period.Thomas Parry was the son of Sir Thomas Parry Senior of Welford Park in Berkshire, the Controller of the Royal Household, by his wife, Anne, the daughter of Sir William Reade of Boarstall in Buckinghamshire.He first... |
| 1621 | Sir Richard Lovelace Richard Lovelace, 1st Baron Lovelace Richard Lovelace, 1st Baron Lovelace was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons at various times between 1601 and 1622. He was raised to the peerage as Baron Lovelace in 1627.... |
Sir Robert Knollys Robert Knollys (MP) Sir Robert Knollys was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1614 and 1629.Knollys was the son of Richard Knollys of Rotherfield Greys, Berkshire. He matriculated at Oriel College, Oxford on 13 May 1603, aged 15. He was knighted on 12 January 1613. In 1614, he was elected... |
| 1624 | Edmund Dunch Edmund Dunch, Baron Burnell of East Wittenham Edmund Dunch was an English Member of Parliament who supported the Parliamentary cause before and during the English Civil War. During the Interregnum he sat as an Member of Parliament. In 1659, after the Protectorate and before the Restoration, regaining his seat in the Rump he also sat in... |
Sir Richard Harrison |
| 1625 | Edmund Dunch Edmund Dunch, Baron Burnell of East Wittenham Edmund Dunch was an English Member of Parliament who supported the Parliamentary cause before and during the English Civil War. During the Interregnum he sat as an Member of Parliament. In 1659, after the Protectorate and before the Restoration, regaining his seat in the Rump he also sat in... |
Sir Francis Knollys Francis Knollys (admiral) Sir Francis Knollys was an English privateer and politician who sat in the House of Commons at various times between 1575 and 1648.... |
| 1626 | John Fettiplace John Fettiplace (politician died 1658) John Fettiplace was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons at various times between 1626 and 1644. He supported the Royalist cause in the English Civil War.... |
Edmund Dunch Edmund Dunch, Baron Burnell of East Wittenham Edmund Dunch was an English Member of Parliament who supported the Parliamentary cause before and during the English Civil War. During the Interregnum he sat as an Member of Parliament. In 1659, after the Protectorate and before the Restoration, regaining his seat in the Rump he also sat in... |
| 1628 | John Fettiplace John Fettiplace (politician died 1658) John Fettiplace was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons at various times between 1626 and 1644. He supported the Royalist cause in the English Civil War.... |
Sir Richard Harrison |
| 1629–1640 | No parliaments summoned | |
| Apr 1640 | John Fettiplace John Fettiplace (politician died 1658) John Fettiplace was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons at various times between 1626 and 1644. He supported the Royalist cause in the English Civil War.... |
Henry Marten Henry Marten (regicide) Sir Henry Marten was an English lawyer and politician who sat in the House of Commons in two periods between 1640 and 1653... , |
| Nov 1640 | John Fettiplace John Fettiplace (politician died 1658) John Fettiplace was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons at various times between 1626 and 1644. He supported the Royalist cause in the English Civil War.... , disabled 1644 replaced by Philip Herbert, 4th Earl of Pembroke Philip Herbert, 4th Earl of Pembroke Philip Herbert, 4th Earl of Pembroke and 1st Earl of Montgomery KG was an English courtier and politician active during the reigns of James I and Charles I... who died and was replaced by Henry Neville |
Henry Marten Henry Marten (regicide) Sir Henry Marten was an English lawyer and politician who sat in the House of Commons in two periods between 1640 and 1653... |
| Parliament | First member | Second member | Third member | Fourth member | Fifth member |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1653 | Samuel Dunch Samuel Dunch Samuel Dunch was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons in 1621 and 1653.Dunch was the son of Edmund Dunch of Little Wittenham, Berkshire. He matriculated at Magdalen College, Oxford on 11 November 1608, aged 15 and was awarded BA on 23 January 1612. He was a student of Gray's Inn... |
Vincent Goddard | Thomas Wood | Three seats only | |
| 1654 | George Purefoy | Edmund Dunch Edmund Dunch, Baron Burnell of East Wittenham Edmund Dunch was an English Member of Parliament who supported the Parliamentary cause before and during the English Civil War. During the Interregnum he sat as an Member of Parliament. In 1659, after the Protectorate and before the Restoration, regaining his seat in the Rump he also sat in... |
Sir Robert Pye Robert Pye Sir Robert Pye was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons variously between 1640 and 1660. He fought on the Parliamentary side in the English Civil War.... |
John Dunch John Dunch John Dunch was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1654 and 1659.... |
John Southby John Southby John Southby was an English landowner and politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1654 to 1656.Southby was the son of Richard Southby of Carswell Manor in the parish of Buckland in Berkshire and his wife, Jane, the daughter of Edward Keate of Lockinge in Berkshire... |
| 1656 | William Trumball | Edmund Dunch Edmund Dunch, Baron Burnell of East Wittenham Edmund Dunch was an English Member of Parliament who supported the Parliamentary cause before and during the English Civil War. During the Interregnum he sat as an Member of Parliament. In 1659, after the Protectorate and before the Restoration, regaining his seat in the Rump he also sat in... |
William Hide | John Dunch John Dunch John Dunch was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1654 and 1659.... |
John Southby John Southby John Southby was an English landowner and politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1654 to 1656.Southby was the son of Richard Southby of Carswell Manor in the parish of Buckland in Berkshire and his wife, Jane, the daughter of Edward Keate of Lockinge in Berkshire... |
| 1659 | John Dunch John Dunch John Dunch was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1654 and 1659.... |
Sir Robert Pye Robert Pye Sir Robert Pye was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons variously between 1640 and 1660. He fought on the Parliamentary side in the English Civil War.... |
Restored to two seats only | ||
Knights of the shire 1660-1885
| Year | First member | First party | Second member | Second party | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1660 | Richard Powle Richard Powle Richard Powle was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1660 to 1678.Richard was born at Shottesbrooke in Berkshire in 1628, the eldest son of Henry Powle, who was Sheriff for Berkshire in 1633, by his wife Katherine, daughter of Matthew Herbert of Monmouth in Monmouthshire... |
Sir Robert Pye Robert Pye Sir Robert Pye was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons variously between 1640 and 1660. He fought on the Parliamentary side in the English Civil War.... |
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| 1661 | Hon. John Lovelace John Lovelace, 3rd Baron Lovelace John Lovelace, 3rd Baron Lovelace was an English peer and MP.He was born at Hurley, Buckinghanshire, the son of John Lovelace, 2nd Baron Lovelace and Lady Anne, 7th Baroness Wentworth and Baroness Le Despenser... |
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| 1670 | Richard Neville (the elder) | |||||
| 1677 | Sir Humphrey Forster, 2nd Bt. | |||||
| 1678 | The Earl of Stirling | |||||
| March 1679 | William Barker | |||||
| August 1679 | Richard Southby Richard Southby Richard Southby was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons in 1659 and from 1679 to 1689..Southby was the son of John Southby of Carswell Manor in the parish of Buckland in Berkshire and his wife, Elizabeth daughter and heiress of William Wiseman of Steventon in Berkshire . His... |
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| 1685 | Sir Humphrey Forster, 2nd Bt. | |||||
| 1689 | Lord Norreys Montagu Venables-Bertie, 2nd Earl of Abingdon Montagu Venables-Bertie, 2nd Earl of Abingdon PC was an English nobleman. The eldest son of James Bertie, 1st Earl of Abingdon and Eleanora Lee, he was styled Lord Norreys until he succeeded his father as 2nd Earl of Abingdon on the latter's death on the 22 May 1699... |
Sir Henry Winchcombe, 2nd Bt. | ||||
| 1690 | Sir Humphrey Forster, 2nd Bt. | Tory | ||||
| 1695 | Richard Neville (the younger) Richard Neville (the younger) Richard Neville was an English politician, Member of Parliament for Berkshire in seven parliaments.-Life:He was third son of Richard Neville of Billingbear House in Berkshire, a gentleman of the privy chamber, and colonel of the forces to Charles I... |
Whig | ||||
| 1701 | Sir John Stonhouse, 3rd Bt. | Tory | ||||
| 1710 | Henry St John Henry St John, 1st Viscount Bolingbroke Henry St John, 1st Viscount Bolingbroke was an English politician, government official and political philosopher. He was a leader of the Tories, and supported the Church of England politically despite his atheism. In 1715 he supported the Jacobite rebellion of 1715 which sought to overthrow the... |
Tory | ||||
| 1712 | Robert Packer (died 1727) | Tory | ||||
| 1727 | Winchcombe Howard Packer | |||||
| 1734 | William Archer | |||||
| 1739 | Peniston Powney | |||||
| 1746 | Henry Pye | |||||
| 1757 | Arthur Vansittart | |||||
| 1766 | Hon. Thomas Craven | |||||
| 1772 | John Elwes John Elwes (politician) John Elwes [né Meggot or Meggott] , MP, Esq. was a Member of Parliament in Great Britain for Berkshire and a noted eccentric and miser, believed to be the inspiration for the character of Ebenezer Scrooge in Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol... |
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| 1774 | Christopher Griffith | |||||
| 1776 | Winchcombe Henry Hartley | |||||
| 1784 British general election, 1784 The British general election of 1784 resulted in William Pitt the Younger securing an overall majority of about 120 in the House of Commons of Great Britain, having previously had to survive in a House which was dominated by his opponents.-Background:... |
George Vansittart | Tory (1796) | Henry James Pye Henry James Pye Henry James Pye was an English poet. Pye was Poet Laureate from 1790 until his death. He was the first poet laureate to receive a fixed salary of £27 instead of the historic tierce of Canary wine Henry James Pye (20 February 1745 – 11 August 1813) was an English poet. Pye was Poet Laureate... |
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| 1790 British general election, 1790 The British general election, 1790 returned members to serve in the House of Commons of the 17th Parliament of Great Britain to be held, after the merger of the Parliament of England and the Parliament of Scotland in 1707.-Political Situation:... |
Winchcombe Henry Hartley | |||||
| 1794 by-election | Charles Dundas Charles Dundas, 1st Baron Amesbury Charles Dundas, 1st Baron Amesbury was a British politician.-Background and education:Charles was a younger son of Thomas Dundas of Fingask, MP for Orkney and Shetland and a commissioner of police in Scotland , who died on 10 April 1786... |
Whig | ||||
| 1812 United Kingdom general election, 1812 The election to the 5th Parliament of the United Kingdom in 1812 was the fourth general election to be held after the Union of Great Britain and Ireland.... |
Hon. Richard Neville Richard Griffin, 3rd Baron Braybrooke Richard Griffin, 3rd Baron Braybrooke , known as Richard Neville until 1797 and as the Hon. Richard Griffin between 1797 and 1825, was a British Whig politician and literary figure.-Background and education:... |
Tory, Whig (by 1820) | ||||
| 1825 by-election | Robert Palmer Robert Palmer (MP) Robert Palmer, JP was an English gentleman from Berkshire and Tory/Conservative Member of Parliament.... |
Tory | ||||
| 1831 United Kingdom general election, 1831 The 1831 general election in the United Kingdom saw a landslide win by supporters of electoral reform, which was the major election issue. As a result it was the last unreformed election, as the Parliament which resulted ensured the passage of the Reform Act 1832. Polling was held from 28 April to... |
Robert Throckmorton Sir Robert Throckmorton, 8th Baronet Sir Robert George Throckmorton, 8th Baronet was an English Whig and Liberal politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1831 to 1835.... |
Whig | ||||
| June 1832 by-election | Robert Palmer Robert Palmer (MP) Robert Palmer, JP was an English gentleman from Berkshire and Tory/Conservative Member of Parliament.... |
Tory | ||||
| December 1832 United Kingdom general election, 1832 -Seats summary:-Parties and leaders at the general election:The Earl Grey had been Prime Minister since 22 November 1830. His was the first predominantly Whig administration since the Ministry of all the Talents in 1806-1807.... |
Third member added | |||||
| election | First member | First party | Second member | Second party | Third member | Third party | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1832 United Kingdom general election, 1832 -Seats summary:-Parties and leaders at the general election:The Earl Grey had been Prime Minister since 22 November 1830. His was the first predominantly Whig administration since the Ministry of all the Talents in 1806-1807.... |
Robert Throckmorton Sir Robert Throckmorton, 8th Baronet Sir Robert George Throckmorton, 8th Baronet was an English Whig and Liberal politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1831 to 1835.... |
Liberal Liberal Party (UK) The Liberal Party was one of the two major political parties of the United Kingdom during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was a third party of negligible importance throughout the latter half of the 20th Century, before merging with the Social Democratic Party in 1988 to form the present day... |
Robert Palmer Robert Palmer (MP) Robert Palmer, JP was an English gentleman from Berkshire and Tory/Conservative Member of Parliament.... |
Conservative Conservative Party (UK) The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House... |
John Walter John Walter (second) John Walter was the son of John Walter, the founder of The Times, and second editor of it.He was educated at Merchant Taylors' School and Trinity College, Oxford... |
Liberal Liberal Party (UK) The Liberal Party was one of the two major political parties of the United Kingdom during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was a third party of negligible importance throughout the latter half of the 20th Century, before merging with the Social Democratic Party in 1988 to form the present day... |
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| 1835 United Kingdom general election, 1835 The 1835 United Kingdom general election was called when Parliament was dissolved on 29 December 1834. Polling took place between 6 January and 6 February 1835, and the results saw Robert Peel's Conservatives make large gains from their low of the 1832 election, but the Whigs maintained a large... |
Philip Pusey Philip Pusey Philip Pusey was a reforming agriculturalist, a Tory Member of Parliament and a friend and follower of Sir Robert Peel.... |
Conservative Conservative Party (UK) The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House... |
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| 1837 United Kingdom general election, 1837 The 1837 United Kingdom general election saw Robert Peel's Conservatives close further on the position of the Whigs, who won their fourth election of the decade.... |
The Viscount Barrington William Barrington, 6th Viscount Barrington William Keppel Barrington, 6th Viscount Barrington , styled The Honourable from 1814 until 1829, was a British businessman and politician.-Background and education:... |
Conservative Conservative Party (UK) The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House... |
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| 1852 United Kingdom general election, 1852 The July 1852 United Kingdom general election was a watershed election in the formation of the modern political parties of Britain. Following 1852, the Tory/Conservative party became, more completely, the party of the rural aristocracy, while the Whig/Liberal party became the party of the rising... |
George Henry Vansittart | Conservative Conservative Party (UK) The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House... |
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| 1857 United Kingdom general election, 1857 -Seats summary:-References:*F. W. S. Craig, British Electoral Facts: 1832-1987* British Electoral Facts 1832-1999, compiled and edited by Colin Rallings and Michael Thrasher *... |
Hon. Philip Pleydell-Bouverie Philip Pleydell-Bouverie The Hon. Philip Pleydell-Bouverie , was a British Whig politician.-Background:Pleydell-Bouverie was a younger son of Jacob Pleydell-Bouverie, 2nd Earl of Radnor, by his wife the Hon. Anne, daughter of Anthony Duncombe, 1st Baron Feversham... |
Liberal Liberal Party (UK) The Liberal Party was one of the two major political parties of the United Kingdom during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was a third party of negligible importance throughout the latter half of the 20th Century, before merging with the Social Democratic Party in 1988 to form the present day... |
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| 1859 United Kingdom general election, 1859 In the 1859 United Kingdom general election, the Whigs, led by Lord Palmerston, held their majority in the House of Commons over the Earl of Derby's Conservatives... |
Leicester Viney Vernon Leicester Viney Vernon Leicester Viney Vernon was a British Conservative Party politician from Berkshire.He was elected as Member of Parliament for Chatham in Kent a by-election in June 1853, after the result of the 1852 general election in the constituency were overturned on petition... |
Conservative Conservative Party (UK) The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House... |
John Walter John Walter (third) John Walter was an English newspaper publisher and Liberal politician who sat in the House of Commons variously between 1847 and 1885.... |
Liberal Liberal Party (UK) The Liberal Party was one of the two major political parties of the United Kingdom during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was a third party of negligible importance throughout the latter half of the 20th Century, before merging with the Social Democratic Party in 1988 to form the present day... |
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| 1860 by-election | Richard Benyon Richard Fellowes Benyon Richard Fellowes Benyon , born Richard Fellowes, was a British Conservative politician and civil servant.... |
Conservative Conservative Party (UK) The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House... |
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| 1865 United Kingdom general election, 1865 The 1865 United Kingdom general election saw the Liberals, led by Lord Palmerston, increase their large majority over the Earl of Derby's Conservatives to more than 80. The Whig Party changed its name to the Liberal Party between the previous election and this one.Palmerston died later in the same... |
Robert Loyd-Lindsay | Conservative Conservative Party (UK) The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House... |
Sir Charles Russell, 3rd Baronet | Conservative Conservative Party (UK) The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House... |
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| 1868 United Kingdom general election, 1868 The 1868 United Kingdom general election was the first after passage of the Reform Act 1867, which enfranchised many male householders, thus greatly increasing the number of men who could vote in elections in the United Kingdom... |
John Walter John Walter (third) John Walter was an English newspaper publisher and Liberal politician who sat in the House of Commons variously between 1847 and 1885.... |
Liberal Liberal Party (UK) The Liberal Party was one of the two major political parties of the United Kingdom during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was a third party of negligible importance throughout the latter half of the 20th Century, before merging with the Social Democratic Party in 1988 to form the present day... |
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| 1876 by-election | Philip Wroughton Philip Wroughton Sir Philip Lavallin Wroughton, KCVO, K.St.J. was the Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire from 1995 until 2008.Sir Philip is the son of Michael Lavallin Wroughton Esq of Woolley Park at Chaddleworth in Berkshire and his wife, Elizabeth Angela Rate. He was educated at Eton College and became 2nd Lieutenant... |
Conservative Conservative Party (UK) The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House... |
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| 1885 United Kingdom general election, 1885 -Seats summary:-See also:*List of MPs elected in the United Kingdom general election, 1885*Parliamentary Franchise in the United Kingdom 1885–1918*Representation of the People Act 1884*Redistribution of Seats Act 1885-References:... |
Constituency abolished | ||||||||
Elections
In multi-member elections the bloc votingPlurality-at-large voting
Plurality-at-large voting is a non-proportional voting system for electing several representatives from a single multimember electoral district using a series of check boxes and tallying votes similar to a plurality election...
system was used. Voters could cast a vote for one or two (or three in three-member elections 1832-1868) candidates, as they chose. The leading candidates with the largest number of votes were elected. In 1868 the limited vote was introduced, which restricted an individual elector to using one or two votes, in elections to fill three seats.
In by-elections, to fill a single seat, the first past the post system applied.
After 1832, when registration of voters was introduced, a turnout figure is given for contested elections. In three-member elections, when the exact number of participating voters is unknown, this is calculated by dividing the number of votes by three (to 1868) and two thereafter. To the extent that electors did not use all their votes this will be an underestimate of turnout.
Where a party had more than one candidate in one or both of a pair of successive elections change is calculated for each individual candidate, otherwise change is based on the party vote.
Candidates for whom no party has been identified are classified as Non Partisan. The candidate might have been associated with a party or faction in Parliament or consider himself to belong to a particular political tradition. Political parties before the 19th century were not as cohesive or organised as they later became. Contemporary commentators (even the reputed leaders of parties or factions) in the 18th century did not necessarily agree who the party supporters were. The traditional parties, which had arisen in the late 17th century, became increasingly irrelevant to politics in the 18th century (particularly after 1760), although for some contests in some constituencies party labels were still used. It was only towards the end of the century that party labels began to acquire some meaning again, although this process was by no means complete for several more generations.
Sources: The results are based on the History of Parliament Trust's volumes on the House of Commons in various periods for 1660–1820, Stooks Smith from 1820 until 1832 and Craig from 1832. Where Stooks Smith gives additional information this is indicated in a note. See references below for further details of these sources.
1660s – 1670s – 1680s – 1690s – 1700s – 1710s – 1720s – 1730s – 1740s – 1750s – 1760s – 1770s – 1780s – 1790s – 1800s – 1810s – 1820s – 1830s – 1840s – 1850s – 1860s – 1870s – 1880s |
Elections in the 1660s
- Note (1660): Vote totals not available
Elections in the 1670s
- Succession of Lovelace as 3rd Baron LovelaceBaron LovelaceBaron Lovelace, of Hurley in the County of Berkshire, was a title in the Peerage of England. It was created on 31 May 1627 for Sir Richard Lovelace, who had earlier represented Berkshire, Abingdon and Windsor in Parliament. The second Baron served as Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire. The third Baron...
25 November 1670
- Death of Neville 7 October 1676
- Death of Powle 12 July 1678
- Note (1678): The vote totals are unknown but must have been close as the Returning OfficerReturning OfficerIn various parliamentary systems, a returning officer is responsible for overseeing elections in one or more constituencies.-Australia:In Australia a returning officer is an employee of the Australian Electoral Commission or a State Electoral Commission who heads the local divisional office...
made a double return, which had not been resolved by the House of Commons when Parliament was dissolved on 24 January 1679
Elections in the 1680s
- Note (1685): Vote totals not available
Elections in the 1690s
Elections in the 1700s
Elections in the 1710s
- Creation of St John as the 1st Viscount BolingbrokeViscount BolingbrokeViscount Bolingbroke / Viscount St John is a title in the Peerage of Great Britain and is currently held by Nicholas Alexander Mowbray St John, the 9th Viscount Bolingbroke and 10th Viscount St John who lives in Sydney Australia....
Elections in the 1720s
- Note (1722): Vote totals not available. Sedgwick states that the majority was over 400 and that 2,177 electors voted.
- Note (1727–1768): Namier and Brook observe that there were no contested elections and that the county was represented by a succession of Tory country gentlemen. Sedgwick however identified a contested election in 1727.
Elections in the 1730s
- Death of Packer 4 April 1731
- Death of Stonhouse 10 October 1733
- Death of Archer 30 June 1739
Elections in the 1740s
- Death of Packer 21 August 1746
Elections in the 1750s
- Death of Powney 8 March 1757
Elections in the 1760s
- Death of Pye 2 March 1766
Elections in the 1770s
- Death of Craven 14 December 1772
- Death of Griffith 12 January 1776
Elections in the 1780s
Elections in the 1790s
- Death of Hartley 12 August 1794
- Note (1796): Party labels; poll 5 days (Source: Stooks Smith)
Elections in the 1800s
Elections in the 1810s
- Note (1812): Poll 15 days; 1,992 voted. (Source: Stooks Smith). Stooks Smith and Thorn refer to the Hon. Richard Griffin as the Hon. R. Neville, a name he used before 1797 - see Baron BraybrookeBaron BraybrookeLord Braybrooke, Baron of Braybrooke, in the County of Northampton, is a title in the Peerage of Great Britain. It was created in 1788 for John Whitwell, 4th Baron Howard de Walden, with remainder to his kinsman Richard Neville-Aldworth...
for more details.
- Note (1818): Poll 15 days. (Source: Stooks Smith). Stooks Smith and Thorn refer to the Hon. Richard Griffin as the Hon. R. Neville, see note (1812).
Elections in the 1820s
- Note (1820): Poll 15 days; 1,258 voted. Stooks Smith refers to the Hon. Richard Griffin as the Hon. R. Neville, see note (1812). Stooks Smith commented that "this was the third election at which Mr Hallett, without any chance of success, kept the poll open for 15 days".
Elections in the 1830s
- Creation of Dundas as Baron Amesbury
- Poll 7 days
- Note (1832): 5,582 registered electors; 4,863 electors cast 10,635 votes. (Source: Stooks Smith)
- Note (1837): 5,599 registered electors; 3,707 electors cast 8,530 votes. (Source: Stooks Smith)
Elections in the 1840s
Elections in the 1850s
Elections in the 1860s
- Death of Vernon
Elections in the 1870s
- Resignation of Benyon
Elections in the 1880s
- Constituency divided in the 1885 redistribution
See also
- List of former United Kingdom Parliamentary constituencies
- Unreformed House of CommonsUnreformed House of CommonsThe unreformed House of Commons is the name generally given to the British House of Commons as it existed before the Reform Act 1832.Until the Act of Union of 1707 joining the Kingdoms of Scotland and England , Scotland had its own Parliament, and the term refers to the House of Commons of England...