Old Sarum (UK Parliament constituency)
Old Sarum | |
---|---|
Former Borough constituency for the House of Commons | |
1295–1832 | |
Seats | Two |
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5c/Constable_-_Old_Sarum%2C_1829%2C_163-1888.jpg/220px-Constable_-_Old_Sarum%2C_1829%2C_163-1888.jpg)
Old Sarum was from 1295 to 1832 a
History
In 1295, during the reign of
Despite having no significant population, the borough was organised with a
In the last years, the spectacle of an Old Sarum election drew a small crowd to observe the ritual presentation of the two candidates and the hollow call for any further nominations. Stooks Smith quotes a contemporary description dating from the 1802 general election:
This election for the borough of Old Sarum was held in a temporary booth erected in a cornfield, under a tree which marked the former boundary of the old town, not a vestige of which has been standing in the memory of man, the several burgages which give the right of voting, being now without a dwelling for a human being. Mr Dean, the bailiff of the borough having read the precept for the election, and caused proclamation thereof, read the bribery act, and gone through all the legal ceremonies, the Rev. Dr Skinner rose and nominated Nicholas Vansittart, and Henry Alexander, Esq., from a thorough conviction that their public conduct would be such as would give satisfaction and do honour to their constituents. The other electors acquiescing in this nomination and no other candidates offering, the proclamation was thrice made for any gentleman disposed to do so, to come forward, the bailiff declared the above two gentlemen to be duly elected. There were five electors present at this election, (beside the bailiff of the borough who lives at Wimborne) viz, the Rev. Dr. Skinner, of the Close; the Rev. Mr. Burrough, of Abbot's Ann; William Dyke, Esq., of Syrencot; Mr. Massey and Mr. Brunsdon, both occupiers of land within the limits of the borough. The above account is thus particularly given to rectify several prevalent mistakes relative to this celebrated borough, and to show that the election is conducted in a manner every way consonant to the law of the land and the constitution of Parliament.[5]
Place of election
Elections in Old Sarum were conducted on a mobile
Members of Parliament
1295–1640
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1640–1832
Elections
![]() | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (June 2008) |
The last reported contested election in Old Sarum occurred at a by-election in November 1751, after the death of Paul Jodrell. The proprietor at the time, Thomas Pitt, had sold the privilege of choosing the Members to the Pelham Government for £2,000 and a pension of £1,000 a year, but the administration's choice of Simon Fanshawe was opposed by James Pitt (younger brother of George Pitt, Member for Dorset) and by John Thorold. The number of votes for each candidate was not recorded.
See also
Notes and references
- Notes
- References
- ^ a b "Old Sarum". The History of Parliament Online. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
- ^ a b "Old Sarum". History Hit. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
- ^ Letters and Papers, Henry VIII, vol 1, no. 5715, 26 December 1514. Cited in: "HISTORY OF OLD SARUM". English Heritage. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
- ^ Page 60,Lewis Namier, The Structure of Politics at the Accession of George III (2nd edition - London: St Martin's Press, 1957)
- ^ Smith, Stooks, History of the General Election of 1802, p. 149
- ^ a b c d e f g h "History of Parliament". History of Parliament Trust. Retrieved 28 October 2011.
- ^ Members Constituencies Parliaments Surveys. "EVERARD, John II (?d.1445), of Salisbury, Wilts". History of Parliament Online. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "History of Parliament". History of Parliament Trust. Retrieved 28 October 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "History of Parliament". History of Parliament Trust. Retrieved 28 October 2011.
- ^ Pitt's victory in the 1715 general election was the last contested election in Old Sarum.
- ^ a b c d Was also elected for Okehampton, which he chose to represent, and did not sit for Old Sarum
- ^ Was also elected for Bodmin, which he chose to represent, and did not sit for Old Sarum
References
- Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs – Constituencies beginning with "O"
- D Brunton & D H Pennington, Members of the Long Parliament (London: George Allen & Unwin, 1954)
- Cobbett's Parliamentary history of England, from the Norman Conquest in 1066 to the year 1803 (London: Thomas Hansard, 1808) [1]
- Smith, Henry Stooks (1844–1850) The Parliaments of England from 1715 to 1847, in 3 Volumes, London: Simpkin & Marshall, republished Craig, F.W.S. (ed.) (1973), Chichester : Political Reference Publications, ISBN 0-900178-13-2