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Worcestershire (UK Parliament constituency)

Worcestershire was a county 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. It was represented until 1832 by two Members of Parliament traditionally referred to as Knights of the Shire. It was split then into two two-member divisions, for Parliamentary purposes, Worcestershire Eastern and Worcestershire Western constituencies.

Worcestershire
Former county constituency
for the House of Commons
1290–1832
Seatstwo

Boundaries

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Worcestershire was one of the historic counties of England. The constituency comprised the whole county, except for the boroughs of Bewdley, Droitwich, Evesham and Worcester.

Members of Parliament

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1294–1478

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Year Location First Member Second Member
23 Edward I Westminster William de Senescal Simon de Crombe
25 Edward I Westminster William de Senescal William de Fokerham
26 Edward I York William de Senescal Simon de Crombe
28 Edward I London Roger de Tracy Thomas de Botteley
29 Edward I Robert Bracy
33 Edward I Westminster William de Fokerham
34 Edward I Great Council at Westminster William de Fokerham Peter Salcomb
35 Edward I Carlisle Peter de Salso Marisco Walter Haket
2 Edward II Westminster Robert Sturmy Robert de Somery
5 Edward II Westminster John de Washbourne Edmund de Grafton
6 Edward II Westminster William de Galeys William de Senescal
6 Edward II Westminster Edmund de Grafton Alexander de Besford
6 Edward II Westminster Robert Somery John le Rous
7 Edward II Westminster Edmund de Grafton Alexander de Besford
8 Edward II Westminster Robert de Sturmy Alexander de Besford
8 Edward II Westminster Edmund de Grafton John de Bishopsden
9 Edward II Lincoln Richard de Clebury
9 Edward II Great Council at Westminster Robert Somery Thomas de Lyttelton
12 Edward II York Walter de Beauchamp Walter de Blount
12 Edward II York Roger Mael John Fitz Simon le Brun
15 Edward II York William de Bradewell Hugh de Hawleslowe
16 Edward II York John de Stone John de Offley
17 Edward II Westminster William de Bradewell Alexander de Besford
19 Edward II Westminster Robert de Somery Henry de Wenlond
20 Edward II Westminster Richard de Hawkeslowe Robert Attwode
1 Edward III Lincoln John de Stone Robert Attwode
1 Edward III York Richard de Hawkeslowe John de Stone
1 Edward III Westminster Richard de Hawkeslowe Robert Attwode
2 Edward III New Sarum Peter de Grete Richard Bertram
2 Edward III Northampton Richard de Hawkeslowe John de Stone
3 Edward III New Sarum Peter de Grete
4 Edward III Westminster Henry de Hanbury Robert de Graas
4 Edward III Westminster John de Stone Edmund de Dunclent
5 Edward III Westminster William le Blount Richard Hawkeslowe
6 Edward III Westminster Richard Hawkeslowe William de Bradewell
6 Edward III Westminster Robert Somery John le Rous
7 Edward III Westminster Peter de Grete John de la More
7 Edward III Westminster William de Bradewell Peter de Grete
8 Edward III Westminster Peter de Grete John de Stone
8 Edward III York Peter de Grete John de la More
9 Edward III York Peter de Grete John de la More
10 Edward III Westminster Walter be Newington Peter de Grete
10 Edward III Westminster John de Bruning John Aleyn
11 Edward III Westminster John Golafre William D'Abetot
11 Edward III Council at Westminster William Corbet John de Stone
11 Edward III Westminster Peter de Grete John Golafre
11 Edward III Westminster Peter de Grete John Golafre
12 Edward III Northampton (Council) Peter de Grete John Golafre
12 Edward III Westminster Walter de Berathorpe Walter de Blount
13 Edward III Westminster John Sapey John de Stone
13 Edward III Westminster Walter de Shekerhurst Thomas de Loughtre
14 Edward III Westminster John de Lee Walter de Newington
14 Edward III Westminster Badw. Frevell John de Hull
14 Edward III Westminster Robert Corbet William de Bracy
14 Edward III Westminster John de Evelen John de Stone
15 Edward III Westminster John de Hull Richard de Eastham
15 Edward III Westminster Richard de Hawkeslowe John de Stone
17 Edward III Westminster Richard de Hawkeslowe John de Stone
17 Edward III Westminster John le Brugh Thomas de Slaughtre
18 Edward III Westminster Robert Attwode John le Brugh
18 Edward III Sarum William de Bradewell Alexander Besford
20 Edward III Westminster Thomas de Slaughtre William de Norton
21 Edward III Westminster John de Hull John de Brugh (Brayne)
22 Edward III Westminster John de Lokynton William de Norton
22 Edward III Westminster John de Hull John de Brugh
24 Edward III Westminster Walter de Shekerhurst Thomas Cassy
25 Edward III Westminster Walter de Shekerhurst Edward le Brugge
26 Edward III Westminster John de Beauchamp of Holt John de Harley
26 & 27 Edward III Council at Westminster Gilbert Chasteleyn
28 Edward III Westminster Gilbert Chasteleyn William de Shakenhrust
29 Edward III Westminster John de Beauchamp John Musard
31 Edward III Westminster Robert de Bracy John de Lokynton
32 Edward III Westminster Robert de Bracy William le Spencer
34 Edward III Westminster William de Shakenhurst Roger le Brugge
34 Edward III Westminster Robert Bracy Roger de Brugge
35 Edward III Westminster Robert Bracy Roger de Brugge
36 Edward III Westminster Lionius de Perton Edward Kerdiffe
37 Edward III Westminster Thomas Foliot Reginald de Hanbury
38 Edward III Westminster Robert Bracy Robert Russel
39 Edward III Westminster Robert Bracy Robert Russel
40 Edward III Westminster Robert de la More Nicholas Bottham
42 Edward III Westminster Henry Sturmy Thomas de la Rivere
42 Edward III Westminster John Horsley Nicholas Moxhall
45 Edward III Westminster Richard Fyton John Meyn
45 Edward III Council at Westminster Richard Fyton John Meyn
46 Edward III Westminster John Attwode Richard Fyton
47 Edward III Westminster John Attwode Edmund de Brugge
50 Edward III Westminster Sir J Attwode Sir R Fyton
51 Edward III Westminster John de Sapy John Beauchamp
1 Richard II Westminster Sir R Fyton John Beauchamp
2 Richard II Gloucester Sir William Cokesey Sir John Russell
2 Richard II Westminster Sir William Wasteneys Sir John Russell
2 Richard II Westminster Sir John Attwode John Beauchamp of Holt
2 Richard II Northampton Sir John Attwode John Beauchamp of Holt
5 Richard II Westminster Henry de Arden John de Sapy
5 Richard II Westminster Sir Richard Fyton John de Sapy
6 Richard II Westminster Alexander de Besford
6 Richard II Westminster Ralf Stafford Roger de Hanbury
7 Richard II Westminster Sir Nicholas Sellyng Henry Bruyn
7 Richard II Sarum Sir John Herle --- de Stafford
8 Richard II Westminster Sir Walter Cokesey Sir John Herle
9 Richard II Westminster Sir John de Sapy Henry Bruyn
10 Richard II Westminster Sir Nicholas Sellyng (Lilling) Henry Bruyn
11 Richard II Westminster Sir Nicholas Sellyng (Lilling) Sir Hugh Cheyne
12 Richard II Westminster Sir Nicholas Sellyng (Lilling) Alexander de Besford
13 Richard II Westminster Sir Nicholas Sellyng (Lilling) Sir Hugh Cheyne
14 Richard II Westminster Sir Nicholas Sellyng (Lilling) Sir Hugh Cheyne
15 Richard II Westminster Alexander Besford Henry Bruyn
16 Richard II Winchester Nicholas Sellyng (Lilling) William Spernore
17 Richard II Westminster Richard Thurgrym William Spernore
18 Richard II Westminster Alexander Besford Robert Russell
20 Richard II Westminster William Spernore Richard Ruyhall
21 Richard II Westminster Sir John Russell Richard Ruyhall
1 Henry IV Westminster John Blount William Spernore
2 Henry IV Westminster Sir John Beauchamp Ralf Stafford
3 Henry IV Westminster Thomas Throgmorton John Brace
4 Henry IV Westminster Thomas Throgmorton John Bracy
5 Henry IV Westminster Sir Simon Blount John Washbourne
6 Henry IV Coventry John Beauchamp Ralf Stafford
8 Henry IV Westminster Ralph Ardern Thomas Hodyngton
9 Henry IV Gloucester Sir William Beauchamp Richard Ruyhall
1 Henry V Westminster William Beauchamp of Powick Sir John Phelys
2 Henry V (Apr) Leicester William Beauchamp of Powick John Beauchamp
1414 (Nov) John Throckmorton John Wood[1]
3 Henry V Westminster Humphrey Stafford John Brace
3 Henry V Westminster William Beauchamp of Powick William Russel
5 Henry V Westminster William Wollashall Thomas Morant
1419 John Brace Thomas Morant[1]
8 Henry V Westminster John Throckmorton John Weston
8 Henry V Westminster William Beauchamp Richard Ruyhall
1421 (Apr) Westminster William Wollashall John Wood
1421 (Dec) Westminster Walter Corbet John Brace
1422 Westminster John Throckmorton John Vampage
2 Henry VI Westminster William Wollashall John Wood
4 Henry VI Westminster Sir William Lichfield Thomas Heuster
5 Henry VI Leicester Humphrey Stafford of Grafton John Vampage
8 Henry VI Westminster John Huband John Vampage
9 Henry VI Westminster William Wollashall John Wood
13 Henry VI Westminster John Wood Robert Russel
20 Henry VI Westminster Hugh Cokesey Walter Skull
25 Henry VI Cambridge Humphrey Stafford Walter Skull
27 Henry VI Westminster Humphrey Stafford Thomas Throckmorton
28 Henry VI Westminster Humphrey Stafford Thomas Windeslawe
29 Henry VI Westminster Humphrey Stafford Thomas Throckmorton
31 Henry VI Reading Sir Walter Skull Humphrey Stafford
33 Henry VI Westminster Humphrey Stafford Fulk Stafford
35 Henry VI Westminster John Stafford Fulk Stafford
6 Edward IV Westminster Renefred Arundel Thomas Lygon
12 Edward IV Westminster Richard Hyde Thomas Lygon
17 Edward IV Westminster William Berkley John Acton

Source: Treadway Russell Nash.[2]

1479–1552

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Parliament First member Second member
1510-1532 Not known
1529 Sir Gilbert Talbot John Russell
1536 Not known
1539 (30 Henry VIII) Sir John Russell Sir John Pakington
1542 (33 Henry VIII) Sir Gilbert Talbot, died
and replaced by Thomas Russell		 William Sheldon
1547 Thomas Russell William Sheldon

1553–1649

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Year Location First Member Second Member
7 Edward VI 1553 Westminster Walter Blount Francis Savage
1 Mary 1553 Westminster Sir Thomas Russell John Lyttelton
1 Mary 1554 Westminster John Bourne William Sheldon
1 Mary 1554 Westminster Sir John Bourne Walter Blount
2&3 Ph & Mary Westminster Sir John Bourne William Sheldon
4&5 Ph & Mary Westminster Sir John Bourne Sir Thomas Baskerville
1559 Westminster Sir Thomas Russell Thomas Blount of Kidderminster
1562 Westminster Thomas Blount of Kidderminster Ralph Sheldon
1571 Westminster Sir Thomas Russell Gilbert Lyttelton
1572 Westminster Gilbert Lyttelton John Talbot
1584 Westminster John Russell John Lyttelton (II)
1586 Westminster John Russell John Lyttelton (II)
1588 Westminster Sir John Russell William Lygon
1593 Westminster Sir Henry Bromley William Walsh
1597 Westminster John Lyttelton (II) Edmund Colles
1601 Westminster Thomas Leighton Thomas Russell
1604 Westminster Sir Henry Bromley Sir William Lygon (died 1609)
repl Sir Samuel Sandys
1614 Westminster Sir Thomas Bromley Sir Samuel Sandys
1621 Westminster Sir Thomas Lyttelton Sir Samuel Sandys
1624 Westminster Sir Thomas Lyttelton Sir Walter Devereux, Bt
1625 Westminster and Oxford Sir Thomas Lyttelton William Russell
1626 Westminster Sir Thomas Lyttelton Sir John Rouse
1628 Westminster Thomas Coventry Sir Thomas Bromley
April 1640 Westminster Sir Thomas Lyttelton Sir John Pakington, 2nd Baronet
November 1640 Westminster John Wilde Humphrey Salwey

Source: TR Nash[2]

Commonwealth Parliaments

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!Year First Member Second Member Third Member Fourth Member Fifth Member
1653 Richard Salwey John James
1654 Sir Thomas Rouse, Bt Edward Pytts Nicholas Lechmere John Bridges Talbot Badger
1656 Col. James Berry Edward Pytts Nicholas Lechmere Sir Thomas Rouse, Bt John Nanfan
1658-9 Nicholas Lechmere Thomas Foley

Source: T. R. Nash, Collections for a History of Worcestershire (1783)

MPs 1660–1832

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Election First member First party Second member Second party
1660 Henry Bromley John Talbot
1661 Sir John Pakington, 2nd Bt Royalist Samuel Sandys
1679 Thomas Foley
1681 Bridges Nanfan
1685 Sir John Pakington, 3rd Bt Tory James Pytts
1689 Sir James Rushout, Bt Thomas Foley
1690 Sir John Pakington, 4th Bt Tory
1695 Edwin Sandys
1698 Sir John Pakington, 4th Bt Tory William Walsh
1701 William Bromley Whig
1702 William Walsh
1705 William Bromley Whig
1707 Sir Thomas Winford, Bt
1710 Samuel Pytts
1715 Thomas Vernon
1720 Sir Thomas Lyttelton, Bt
1727 Sir Herbert Pakington, Bt Tory
1734 Edmund Lechmere Tory
1741 Edmund Pytts (I) Tory
1747 Viscount Deerhurst
1751 by-election John Bulkeley Coventry
1753 by-election Edmund Pytts (II) Tory
1761 John Ward William Dowdeswell Whig
1774 Edward Foley
1775 by-election William Lygon
1803 by-election John Ward Tory
1806 by-election William Lygon
1806 William Lyttelton
1816 by-election Henry Lygon
1820 Sir Thomas Winnington, Bt
1830 Thomas Foley Whig
1831 Frederick Spencer Whig
1832 constituency divided. See Worcestershire Eastern and Worcestershire Western

Elections

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The county franchise, from 1430, was held by the owners of freehold land valued at 40 shillings or more. Each voter had as many votes as there were seats to be filled. Votes had to be cast by a spoken declaration, in public, at the hustings, which took place in the county town of Worcester. The expense and difficulty of voting at only one location in the county, together with the lack of a secret ballot contributed to the corruption and intimidation of voters, which was widespread in the unreformed British political system.

The expense, to candidates, of contested elections encouraged the leading families of the county to agree on the candidates to be returned unopposed whenever possible. Contested county elections were therefore unusual.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Worcestershire - History of Parliament Online". Retrieved 14 April 2017.
  2. ^ a b Treadway Russell Nash, Collections for a History of Worcestershire (1783)
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