Cheshire (UK Parliament constituency)
Encyclopedia
Cheshire is a former United Kingdom
Parliamentiary
constituency for the county of Cheshire
. It was a constituency
of the House of Commons
of the Parliament of England
then of the Parliament of Great Britain
from 1707 to 1800 and of the Parliament of the United Kingdom
from 1801 to 1832.
As a county palatine
it was unrepresented in the Parliament until the Chester and Cheshire (Constituencies) Act 1542
(34 & 35 Hen VIII. c. 13). Cheshire was represented by two Knights of the Shire
from 1545, with only County Durham
out of the English counties being left unrepresented after that.
It was divided between the constituencies of North Cheshire
and South Cheshire
in 1832.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
Parliamentiary
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...
constituency for the county of Cheshire
Cheshire
Cheshire is a ceremonial county in North West England. Cheshire's county town is the city of Chester, although its largest town is Warrington. Other major towns include Widnes, Congleton, Crewe, Ellesmere Port, Runcorn, Macclesfield, Winsford, Northwich, and Wilmslow...
. It was a constituency
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:...
of the House of Commons
British House of Commons
The House of Commons is the lower house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which also comprises the Sovereign and the House of Lords . Both Commons and Lords meet in the Palace of Westminster. The Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 650 members , who are known as Members...
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...
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 1832.
As a county palatine
County palatine
A county palatine or palatinate is an area ruled by an hereditary nobleman possessing special authority and autonomy from the rest of a kingdom or empire. The name derives from the Latin adjective palatinus, "relating to the palace", from the noun palatium, "palace"...
it was unrepresented in the Parliament until the Chester and Cheshire (Constituencies) Act 1542
Chester and Cheshire (Constituencies) Act 1542
Chester and Cheshire Act 1542 is the Act of Parliament allowing Cheshire to be represented in the Parliament of England. The county palatine of Chester, ruled by the earls of Chester was established by William the Conqueror...
(34 & 35 Hen VIII. c. 13). Cheshire was represented by 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...
from 1545, with only County Durham
County Durham
County Durham is a ceremonial county and unitary district in north east England. The county town is Durham. The largest settlement in the ceremonial county is the town of Darlington...
out of the English counties being left unrepresented after that.
It was divided between the constituencies of North Cheshire
North Cheshire (UK Parliament constituency)
North Cheshire is a former United Kingdom Parliamentary constituency. It was created upon the division of Cheshire in 1832. In 1868, it was abolished with South Cheshire to form East Cheshire, Mid Cheshire, West Cheshire and Stalybridge....
and South Cheshire
South Cheshire (UK Parliament constituency)
South Cheshire was a United Kingdom Parliamentary constituency. It was created upon the division of Cheshire in 1832. In 1868, it was abolished with North Cheshire to form parts of East Cheshire, Mid Cheshire, and West Cheshire.-Members of Parliament:...
in 1832.
1545-1659
- Constituency created (1545)
Year First member Second member 1545 Sir Lawrence Smith Sir Hugh Calverley 1547 Sir William Brereton Sir Hugh Cholmley Mar 1553 Sir Thomas Holcroft Sir Thomas HolcroftSir Thomas Holcroft was a sixteenth-century English courtier and politician.He was born at Vale Royal, Cheshire, the son of John Holcroft and Margaret Massey...Sir Thomas Venables Oct 1553 Edward Fytton Apr 1554 Sir Henry Delves Richard Wilbraham Nov 1554 Sir Richard Cotton Sir Richard CottonSir Richard Cotton , was a courtier in the court of Henry VIII of England.He came from Shropshire and began his career as a lawyer before entering the king's service. The king granted him property in Bedhampton, Hampshire and Bourne, Lincolnshire.-References:* Birkbeck, J.D. A History of Bourne.*...1555 Sir Lawrence Smith Richard Wilbraham 1558 Richard Hough James Done 1559 Sir William Brereton Sir Ralph Leycester 1563 Sir Thomas Venables William Massye 1571 Thomas Calveley Thomas Stanley 1572 George Calveley William Booth William BoothWilliam Booth was a British Methodist preacher who founded The Salvation Army and became its first General...1584 Thomas Egerton Thomas Egerton, 1st Viscount BrackleyThomas Egerton, 1st Viscount Brackley PC was an English Nobleman, Judge and Statesman who served as Lord Keeper and Lord Chancellor for twenty-one years.-Early life, education and legal career:...Hugh Cholmondeley 1586 John Savage 1589 Sir George Beeston 1593 Thomas Holcroft John Done 1597 Sir William Brereton William Brereton, 1st Baron BreretonWilliam Brereton, 1st Baron Brereton was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons at various times between 1597 and 1622. He was created a peer in the Peerage of Ireland in 1624 as Baron Brereton....Thomas Egerton II 1601 Sir Peter Legh Thomas Holcroft 1604 Sir Thomas Holcroft Sir Roger Aston 1614 Sir William Brereton William Brereton, 1st Baron BreretonWilliam Brereton, 1st Baron Brereton was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons at various times between 1597 and 1622. He was created a peer in the Peerage of Ireland in 1624 as Baron Brereton....Sir Roger Wilbraham 1621 Sir Richard Grosvenor Sir Richard Grosvenor, 1st BaronetSir Richard Grosvenor, 1st Baronet was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons at various times between 1621 and 1629. He is an ancestor of the modern day Dukes of Westminster....1624 William Booth William Brereton 1625 Sir Robert Cholmondeley, Bt Robert Cholmondeley, 1st Earl of LeinsterRobert Cholmondeley, 1st Earl of Leinster was an English Royalist and supporter of Charles I during the English Civil War....Sir Anthony St John Anthony St JohnSir Anthony St John was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons in 1624 and 1625. He supported the Parliamentary side in the English Civil War....1626 Sir Richard Grosvenor, 1st Baronet Sir Richard Grosvenor, 1st BaronetSir Richard Grosvenor, 1st Baronet was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons at various times between 1621 and 1629. He is an ancestor of the modern day Dukes of Westminster....Peter Daniel 1628 Sir William Brereton, 1st Baronet Sir William Brereton, 1st BaronetSir William Brereton, 1st Baronet was an English writer and politician who sat in the House of Commons at various times between 1628 and 1659. He was a commander in the Parliamentary army in the English Civil War....April 1640 Sir Thomas Aston, 1st Baronet Sir Thomas Aston, 1st BaronetSir Thomas Aston, 1st Baronet was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons in 1640. He fought for the Royalist cause in the English Civil War.-Background:...November 1640 Peter Venables Peter Venables (MP)Peter Venables was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons at various times between 1640 and 1669. He supported the Royalist cause in the English Civil War....1646 George Booth George Booth, 1st Baron DelamerGeorge Booth, 1st Baron Delamer , known as Sir George Booth, 2nd Baronet, from 1652 to 1661, was an English peer.-Civil War:...1653 Robert Duckenfield Robert DuckenfieldLieutenant Colonel Robert Duckenfield was a Parliamentarian commander during the English Civil War.-Family history:Robert Duckenfield came from Dukinfield in Cheshire and was born to Robert and Frances Duckenfield in 1619. The Duckenfields were a noted local family and their history in Cheshire...Henry Birkenhead - Four members returned to First Protectorate ParliamentFirst Protectorate ParliamentThe First Protectorate Parliament was summoned by the Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell under the terms of the Instrument of Government. It sat for one term from 3 September 1654 until 22 January 1655 with William Lenthall as the Speaker of the House....
(1654)Year First member Second member Third member Fourth member 1654 John Bradshaw John Bradshaw (judge)John Bradshaw was an English judge. He is most notable for his role as President of the High Court of Justice for the trial of King Charles I and as the first Lord President of the Council of State of the English Commonwealth....Sir George Booth, Bt George Booth, 1st Baron DelamerGeorge Booth, 1st Baron Delamer , known as Sir George Booth, 2nd Baronet, from 1652 to 1661, was an English peer.-Civil War:...Henry Brooke John Crew John CrewJohn Crew was an English barrister and politician who sat in the House of Commons in 1654.Crew was the second son of Ranulph Crewe and his wife Julia Clipsby. He matriculated from St John's College, Cambridge at Easter 1619 and was admitted at Lincoln's Inn on 28 October 1618...1656 Richard Legh Richard LeghRichard Legh was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons variously between 1656 and 1678.Legh was the son of Rev. Thomas Legh, DD of Cheshire and rector of Sefton and Walton, Lancashire. He inherited the Lyme Park estate in Cheshire from his uncle Francis Legh in 1643...Thomas Marbury Peter Brooke Peter Brooke (MP)Sir Peter Brooke was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons at various times between 1646 and 1656.Brooke was the younger son of Thomas Brooke of Norton. In 1646, he was elected Member of Parliament for Newton in the Long Parliament...
1659-1832
- Two members returned to Third Protectorate ParliamentThird Protectorate ParliamentThe Third Protectorate Parliament sat for one session, from 27 January 1659 until 22 April 1659, with Chaloner Chute and Thomas Bampfylde as the Speakers of the House of Commons...
(1659)Year First member First party Second member Second party 1659 John Bradshaw John Bradshaw (judge)John Bradshaw was an English judge. He is most notable for his role as President of the High Court of Justice for the trial of King Charles I and as the first Lord President of the Council of State of the English Commonwealth....
Richard Legh Richard LeghRichard Legh was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons variously between 1656 and 1678.Legh was the son of Rev. Thomas Legh, DD of Cheshire and rector of Sefton and Walton, Lancashire. He inherited the Lyme Park estate in Cheshire from his uncle Francis Legh in 1643...
1660 Sir George Booth, Bt George Booth, 1st Baron DelamerGeorge Booth, 1st Baron Delamer , known as Sir George Booth, 2nd Baronet, from 1652 to 1661, was an English peer.-Civil War:...
Sir Thomas Mainwaring, Bt Mainwaring BaronetsThe Baronetcy of Mainwaring of Over-Peover has twice been created for members of the ancient family of Mainwaring of Over-Peover, Cheshire.It was created on 22 November 1660 by Charles II on his restoration, for Thomas Mainwaring, High Sheriff of Cheshire in 1657 and Knight of the Shire otherwise...
1661 The Lord Brereton William Brereton, 2nd Baron BreretonWilliam Brereton, 2nd Baron Brereton was the son of Sir John Brereton of Brereton Hall and Anne Fitton...
Peter Venables Peter Venables (MP)Peter Venables was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons at various times between 1640 and 1669. He supported the Royalist cause in the English Civil War....
1664 Sir Fulk Lucy 1670 Thomas Cholmondeley 1678 Hon. Henry Booth Henry Booth, 1st Earl of WarringtonHenry Booth, 1st Earl of Warrington was a Member of Parliament, Privy Councillor, Protestant protagonist in the Revolution of 1688, Mayor of Chester and author.-Life:...
Whig British Whig PartyThe Whigs were a party in the Parliament of England, Parliament of Great Britain, and Parliament of the United Kingdom, who contested power with the rival Tories from the 1680s to the 1850s. The Whigs' origin lay in constitutional monarchism and opposition to absolute rule...February 1679 Sir Philip Egerton September 1679 Sir Robert Cotton, Bt Sir Robert Cotton, 1st Baronet, of CombermereSir Robert Cotton, 1st Baronet was an English politician. He was Member of Parliament for Cheshire from 1679 to 1681 and from 1689 to 1702....
Whig British Whig PartyThe Whigs were a party in the Parliament of England, Parliament of Great Britain, and Parliament of the United Kingdom, who contested power with the rival Tories from the 1680s to the 1850s. The Whigs' origin lay in constitutional monarchism and opposition to absolute rule...1685 Sir Philip Egerton Thomas Cholmondeley 1689 Sir Robert Cotton, Bt Sir Robert Cotton, 1st Baronet, of CombermereSir Robert Cotton, 1st Baronet was an English politician. He was Member of Parliament for Cheshire from 1679 to 1681 and from 1689 to 1702....
Whig British Whig PartyThe Whigs were a party in the Parliament of England, Parliament of Great Britain, and Parliament of the United Kingdom, who contested power with the rival Tories from the 1680s to the 1850s. The Whigs' origin lay in constitutional monarchism and opposition to absolute rule...Sir John Mainwaring, Bt Sir John Mainwaring, 2nd BaronetSir John Mainwaring, 2nd Baronet was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1689 to 1702.Mainwaring was the son of Sir Thomas Mainwaring, 1st Baronet of Peover Hall and his wife Mary Delves, daughter of Sir Henry Delves, 2nd Baronet, of Dodington.Mainwaring succeeded to the...
Whig British Whig PartyThe Whigs were a party in the Parliament of England, Parliament of Great Britain, and Parliament of the United Kingdom, who contested power with the rival Tories from the 1680s to the 1850s. The Whigs' origin lay in constitutional monarchism and opposition to absolute rule...1702 Sir George Warburton, Bt Tory ToryToryism is a traditionalist and conservative political philosophy which grew out of the Cavalier faction in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. It is a prominent ideology in the politics of the United Kingdom, but also features in parts of The Commonwealth, particularly in Canada...Sir Roger Mostyn, Bt Sir Roger Mostyn, 3rd Baronet-Life:Mostyn was born on 31 July 1673. He was the eldest son of Sir Thomas Mostyn, 2nd Baronet, of Mostyn in Flintshire, north Wales, and inherited the title on the death of his father in 1692. He attended the University of Oxford, matriculating from Jesus College in 1690. He was elected as MP...
Tory ToryToryism is a traditionalist and conservative political philosophy which grew out of the Cavalier faction in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. It is a prominent ideology in the politics of the United Kingdom, but also features in parts of The Commonwealth, particularly in Canada...1705 Langham Booth Whig British Whig PartyThe Whigs were a party in the Parliament of England, Parliament of Great Britain, and Parliament of the United Kingdom, who contested power with the rival Tories from the 1680s to the 1850s. The Whigs' origin lay in constitutional monarchism and opposition to absolute rule...John Offley-Crewe Whig British Whig PartyThe Whigs were a party in the Parliament of England, Parliament of Great Britain, and Parliament of the United Kingdom, who contested power with the rival Tories from the 1680s to the 1850s. The Whigs' origin lay in constitutional monarchism and opposition to absolute rule...1710 Sir George Warburton, Bt Tory ToryToryism is a traditionalist and conservative political philosophy which grew out of the Cavalier faction in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. It is a prominent ideology in the politics of the United Kingdom, but also features in parts of The Commonwealth, particularly in Canada...Charles Cholmondeley 1715 Langham Booth Whig British Whig PartyThe Whigs were a party in the Parliament of England, Parliament of Great Britain, and Parliament of the United Kingdom, who contested power with the rival Tories from the 1680s to the 1850s. The Whigs' origin lay in constitutional monarchism and opposition to absolute rule...1722 Charles Cholmondeley John Offley-Crewe Whig British Whig PartyThe Whigs were a party in the Parliament of England, Parliament of Great Britain, and Parliament of the United Kingdom, who contested power with the rival Tories from the 1680s to the 1850s. The Whigs' origin lay in constitutional monarchism and opposition to absolute rule...1727 Sir Robert Salusbury Cotton, Bt 1734 John Crewe 1753 Charles Crewe 1754 Samuel Egerton Samuel EgertonSamuel Egerton was a British Member of Parliament.He was a son of John Egerton of Tatton Park by his wife Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel Barbour. He married Beatrix, daughter of the Rev...
1756 Thomas Cholmondeley 1768 John Crewe John Crewe, 1st Baron CreweJohn Crewe, 1st Baron Crewe , of Crewe Hall in Cheshire, was a British politician. He is chiefly remembered for his sponsorship of Crewe's Act of 1782, which barred customs officers and post office officials from voting....
Whig British Whig PartyThe Whigs were a party in the Parliament of England, Parliament of Great Britain, and Parliament of the United Kingdom, who contested power with the rival Tories from the 1680s to the 1850s. The Whigs' origin lay in constitutional monarchism and opposition to absolute rule...1780 Sir Robert Salusbury Cotton, Bt Sir Robert Salusbury Cotton, 5th BaronetSir Robert Salusbury Cotton was an English politician. He was Member of Parliament for Cheshire from 1780 to 1796.He was one of the founders of the Tarporley Hunt Club in 1762.- References:*...
1796 Thomas Cholmondeley Thomas Cholmondeley, 1st Baron DelamereThomas Cholmondeley, 1st Baron Delamere was a British peer and Member of Parliament.-Background:He was the son of Thomas Chomondeley , Member of Parliament for Cheshire...
1802 William Egerton 1806 Davies Davenport 1812 Wilbraham Egerton Tory ToryToryism is a traditionalist and conservative political philosophy which grew out of the Cavalier faction in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. It is a prominent ideology in the politics of the United Kingdom, but also features in parts of The Commonwealth, particularly in Canada...1830 Viscount Belgrave Richard Grosvenor, 2nd Marquess of WestminsterRichard Grosvenor, 2nd Marquess of Westminster KG, PC , styled Viscount Belgrave from 1802 to 1831 and Earl Belgrave from 1831 to 1845, was an English politician, landowner, property developer and benefactor....
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...1831 George Wilbraham Whig British Whig PartyThe Whigs were a party in the Parliament of England, Parliament of Great Britain, and Parliament of the United Kingdom, who contested power with the rival Tories from the 1680s to the 1850s. The Whigs' origin lay in constitutional monarchism and opposition to absolute rule... - Constituency abolished (1832)
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...