Nottinghamshire (UK Parliament constituency)

Parliamentary constituency in the United Kingdom, 1801–1832

Nottinghamshire

Former county constituency
for the House of Commons
County| Nottinghamshire
1290–1832
Seats| Two
Replaced by| North Nottinghamshire and South Nottinghamshire

Nottinghamshire 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 by two Members of Parliament (MPs), traditionally known as knights of the shire.

The constituency was split into two two-member divisions, for parliamentary purposes, by the Reform Act 1832. The county was then represented by the North Nottinghamshire and South Nottinghamshire constituencies.

## Boundaries

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The county of Nottinghamshire is located in the East Midlands of England. The county is known to have been represented in Parliament from 1290, although it probably sent knights of the shire to earlier meetings.

From 1295 the county and the town of Nottingham each returned two members to parliament. In 1572 East Retford was represented by two members, and in 1672 Newark-upon-Trent also. Under the Reform Act 1832 the county returned four members in two divisions. By the Redistribution of Seats Act 1885 it returned four members in four divisions; Newark and East Retford were disfranchised, and Nottingham returned three members in three divisions.

## Members of Parliament

[edit]

### 1290–1640

[edit]

This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. (January 2011)

|

1305 Sir Hugh de Hercy and Thomas Malet

1316 Sir Hugh de Hercy and Lawrence Chaworth

Parliament | First member | Second member

|
|

1297 | Sir John de Vilers
1307 | Sir Walter Goushill of Hoveringham
1311 | Sir Walter Goushill of Hoveringham
1312 | John de Lisours
1313 | Laurencius de Cadurcis
1318 | Sir Richard Willoughby[1] | Peter Foun[1]
1320 | John Darcy
1324 | Robert de Jorce[1] | Sir Richard de Willoughby[1]
1361–1393 | Robert Morton
1373 | John Gateford
1376–1390 | Sir John Burton (5 times)
1377–1388 | John Annesley
1378 | Sir John Leake
1378 | William Neville
1379 | Sir John Birmingham
1380 (Nov) | John Gateford
1381 | Sir Thomas Rempston
1383 | Sir Thomas Rempston
1386 | Sir John Annesley | Sir John Leake[2]
1388 (Feb) | Sir John Annesley | Sir John Leake[2]
1388 (Sep) | Sir John Annesley | Sir Robert Cockfield[2]
1390 (Jan) | John Gateford | Sir John Leake[2]
1390 (Nov) | Sir John Burton | Hugh Cressy[2]
1391 | Sir Thomas Hercy | Sir Robert Cockfield[2]
1393 | Sir Thomas Rempston | John Gateford[2]
1394 | Sir William Neville | Nicholas Strelley[2]
1395 | Sir Thomas Rempston | Nicholas Burdon[2]
1397 (Jan) | Sir Thomas Rempston | Hugh Cressy[2]
1397 (Sep) | Sir Thomas Rempston | Robert Morton[2]
1399 | William Leek | John Gateford[2]
1401 | Sir John Burton (son of Sir John, 1376) | John Kniveton[2]
1402 | Sir John Clifton | Sir Richard Stanhope[2]
1404 (Jan) | John Leek | Sir Richard Stanhope[2]
1404 (Oct) | Simon Leek | Sir Richard Stanhope[2]
1406 | Sir Thomas Chaworth | Sir Richard Stanhope[2]
1407 | Sir John Zouche | Sir Hugh Hussey[2]
1410 |
1411 | William Rigmaiden | Thomas Staunton[2]
1413 (Feb) |
1413 (May) | Sir John Zouche | Sir Thomas Rempston II[2]
1413 (Apr) | Sir Robert Plumpton | Henry Sutton[2]
1414 (Nov) | Ralph Mackerell | Sir Hugh Hussey[2]
1415 |
1416 (Mar) | William Compton | Sir Thomas Rempston II[2]
1416 (Oct) |
1417 | Sir Thomas Chaworth | Sir Henry Pierrepont[2]
1419 | Sir John Zouche | Ralph Hussey[2]
1420 | Sir Thomas Chaworth | Ralph Mackerell[2]
1421 (May) | Sir Thomas Chaworth | Sir William Mering[2]
1421 (Dec) | Sir Henry Pierrepont | Sir Richard Stanhope[2]
1422 | Sir John Zouche
1423 | Sir Henry Pierrepont | Sir Thomas Chaworth
1425 | Sir Henry Pierrepont | Sir William Mering
1427 | Ralph Mackerell[3]
1429 | John Bowes
1432 | John Bowes
1435 | John Bowes
1436 | William Plumpton
1437 | Sir Thomas Chaworth
1439 | John Bowes
1442 | Sir William Mering | Sir John Zouche
1445 | Sir Thomas Chaworth
1510–1523 | No names known[4]
1529 | Sir John Markham | Sir John Byron[4]
1536 |
1539 | Gervase Clifton | John Hercy[4]
1542 |
1545 | Sir Anthony Neville | Michael Stanhope[4]
1547 | Sir Michael Stanhope | Sir John Markham[4]
1553 (Mar) | William Mering | George Lascelles[4]
1553 (Oct) | Sir John Hercy | Sir William Holles[4]
1554 (Apr) | Sir John Constable | Ellis Markham[4]
1554 (Nov) | Richard Whalley | Ellis Markham[4]
1555 | Richard Whalley | Anthony Forster[4]
1558 | Sir John Markham | Hugh Thornhill[4]
1559 (Jan)(writ) | Sir John Markham | John Manners[5]
1562–1563 | John Manners | John Molyneux[5]
1571 | Robert Markham | Edward Stanhope[5]
1572 | Henry Pierrepont | Edward Stanhope[5]
1584 (Nov) | Sir Thomas Manners | Sir Robert Constable[5]
1586 | Sir Thomas Manners | Sir Thomas Stanhope[5]
1588 (Oct) | Robert Markham | Brian Lascelles[5]
1593 (Jan) | Sir Charles Cavendish | Philip Strelley[5]
1597 (Oct) | John Byron | Richard Whalley[5]
1601 (Oct) | Sir Charles Cavendish | Robert Pierrepont[5]
1604–1611  | Sir John Holles | Percival Willoughby
Addled Parliament (1614) | Sir Gervase Clifton
1621–1622  | George Chaworth, 1st Viscount Chaworth
Happy Parliament (1624) | Robert Sutton
Useless Parliament (1625) | Sir Henry Stanhope
1626  | Sir Henry Stanhope | Sir Thomas Hutchinson
1628  | Sir John Byron | Sir Gervase Clifton
No Parliament summoned 1629–1640

### 1640–1832

[edit]

Year | First member | First party | Second member | Second party

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|
|
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|  | April 1640 | Sir Thomas Hutchinson | Parliamentarian | Robert Sutton | Royalist
|  | November 1640 | Sir Thomas Hutchinson | Parliamentarian | Robert Sutton | Royalist
| August 1643  | Hutchinson died – seat vacant
| December 1643  | Sutton disabled to sit – seat vacant
|  | 1645  | John Hutchinson |  | Gervase Pigot |
|  | 1653  | John Oddingsels |  | Edward Cludd |
1654 | Representation increased to four members in First and Second Parliaments of the Protectorate
|  | 1654 | Hon. William Pierrepont, Major-General Edward Whalley, Colonel Edward Neville, Charles White
|  | 1656 | Edward Cludd, Major-General Edward Whalley, Colonel Edward Neville, Peniston Whalley
1659 | Representation reverted to two members in Third Parliaments of the Protectorate
|  | January 1659 | Colonel Edward Neville |  | Martin Bristow |
|  | May 1659 | Colonel John Hutchinson |  | One seat vacant
|  | March 1660  | Lord Houghton |  | Hon. William Pierrepont |
|  | 1661  | Anthony Eyre |  | Sir Gervase Clifton |
| 1666  | Sir Francis Leke |
| 1673  | Sir Scrope Howe |
| 1679  | John White |
|  | 1685  | Sir William Clifton, 3rd Baronet |  | Reason Mellish |
|  | January 1689  | Sir Scrope Howe |  | Lord Houghton |
| May 1689  | John White |
| 1690  | William Sacheverell |
| 1691  | John White |
|  | 1698  | Sir Thomas Willoughby |  | Gervase Eyre |
| 1701  | Sir Francis Molyneux |
| 1702  | Gervase Eyre |
| 1704  | John Thornhagh |
| 1705  | Sir Thomas Willoughby |
|  | 1710  | The Viscount Howe |  | William Levinz | Tory
| 1713  | Hon. Francis Willoughby | Tory
|  | 1722 | The Viscount Howe | Whig | Sir Robert Sutton | Whig
|  | 1732 | William Levinz | Tory | Thomas Bennett | Non Partisan
| 1734 | William Levinz (junior) | Non Partisan
| 1739 | Hon. John Mordaunt | Non Partisan
|  | 1747 | Colonel Lord Robert Sutton
(Lord Robert Manners-Sutton) | Non Partisan | John Thornhagh
(John Hewett)[6] | Non Partisan
| 1762 | Hon. Thomas Willoughby | Non Partisan
| 1774 | Earl of Lincoln | Non Partisan
| 1775 | Lord Edward Bentinck | Non Partisan
| 1778 | Charles Medows
(Charles Pierrepont)[7] | Non Partisan
|  | 1796 | Lord William Bentinck[8] | Whig | Hon. Evelyn Pierrepont | Non Partisan
| 1801 | Hon. Charles Pierrepont
(Viscount Newark)[9] | Non Partisan
| 1803 | Anthony Hardolph Eyre | Non Partisan
| 1812 | Lord William Bentinck | Whig
| 1814 | Frank Frank
(Frank Sotheron) | Tory
| 1816 | Lord William Bentinck | Whig
| 1826 | John Lumley[10] | Whig
| 1831 | Evelyn Denison | Whig
1832 | Constituency abolished: see Northern Nottinghamshire, Southern Nottinghamshire

### Notes

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The use of the term 'Non Partisan' in the list does not necessarily mean that the MP was not associated with a particular party or faction in Parliament. Stooks Smith only gives Nottinghamshire candidates party labels for the contested 1722 election and not again until well into the 19th century.

1. ^ a b c d Members of Parliament 1213-1702. London: House of Commons. 1878.
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab "History of Parliament". Retrieved 5 September 2011.
3. ^ "MACKERELL, Ralph (d.1436), of Wilsthorpe, Derbys. and Clifton, Notts". History of Parliament Online. Retrieved 22 March 2013.
4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "History of Parliament". Retrieved 5 September 2011.
5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "History of Parliament". Retrieved 5 September 2011.
6. ^ Adopted the surname Hewett in 1756
7. ^ Adopted the surname Pierrepont in 1788
8. ^ Stooks Smith incorrectly lists Lord Edward Bentinck as re-elected in 1796. In fact he was elected MP for Clitheroe.
9. ^ Styled Viscount Newark from 1806
10. ^ Styled Viscount Lumley from June 1832.

## Election notes

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The county franchise, from 1430, was held by the adult male owners of freehold land valued at 40 shillings or more. Each elector 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 Nottingham. 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 electors, which was widespread in the unreformed British political system.

The expense, to candidates and their supporters, 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. Three families; the Duke of Newcastle, the Duke of Portland and the Pierreponts, all Whigs, dominated the county until well into the 19th century, which was why there was no contest after 1722.

The bloc vote electoral system was used in two seat elections and first past the post for single member by-elections. Each voter had up to as many votes as there were seats to be filled. Votes had to be cast by a spoken declaration, in public, at the hustings.

Note on percentage change calculations: Where there was only one candidate of a party in successive elections, for the same number of seats, change is calculated on the party percentage vote. Where there was more than one candidate, in one or both successive elections for the same number of seats, then change is calculated on the individual percentage vote.

Note on sources: The information for the election results given below is taken from Stooks Smith 1715–1754, Namier and Brooke 1754–1790 and Stooks Smith 1790–1832.

## Election results 1715–1832

[edit]

1710s –

1720s – 1730s – 1740s – 1750s – 1760s – 1770s – 1780s – 1790s – 1790s – 1800s – 1810s – 1820s – 1830s

### Elections in the 1710s

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General election 1715: Nottinghamshire (2 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

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|
|
|

| Nonpartisan | Francis Willoughby | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Nonpartisan | William Levinz | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A

### Elections in the 1720s

[edit]

General election 1722: Nottinghamshire (2 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

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|
|
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| Whig | Robert Sutton | 1,349  | 25.89  | N/A
| Whig | Emanuel Howe | 1,339  | 25.70  | N/A
| Tory | William Levinz | 1,265  | 24.28  | N/A
| Tory | Francis Willoughby | 1,257  | 24.13  | N/A

* Howe was a Peer of Ireland

General election 1727: Nottinghamshire (2 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

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|
|
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| Nonpartisan | Robert Sutton | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Nonpartisan | Emanuel Howe | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A

### Elections in the 1730s

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* Seats vacated on Howe being appointed Governor of Barbados and Sutton being expelled from the House.

By-Election May 1732: Nottinghamshire (2 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

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|
|
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| Nonpartisan | William Levinz | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Nonpartisan | Thomas Bennet | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Nonpartisan hold | Swing | N/A |
General election 1734: Nottinghamshire (2 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

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|
|
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| Nonpartisan | William Levinz (junior) | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Nonpartisan | Thomas Bennet | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A

* Death of Bennet

By-Election February 1739: Nottinghamshire  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

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|
|
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| Nonpartisan | John Mordaunt | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Nonpartisan hold | Swing | N/A |

### Elections in the 1740s

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General election 1741: Nottinghamshire (2 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

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|
|
|

| Nonpartisan | William Levinz (junior) | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Nonpartisan | John Mordaunt | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
General election 1747: Nottinghamshire (2 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

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|
|
|

| Nonpartisan | Robert Manners-Sutton | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Nonpartisan | John Thornhagh | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A

* Sutton adopted the new surname of Manners-Sutton

### Elections in the 1750s

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General election 1 May 1754: Nottinghamshire (2 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

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|
|
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| Nonpartisan | Robert Manners-Sutton | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Nonpartisan | John Thornhagh | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A

* John Thornhagh adopted the new surname of Hewett

### Elections in the 1760s

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General election 8 April 1761: Nottinghamshire (2 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

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|
|
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| Nonpartisan | Robert Manners-Sutton | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Nonpartisan | John Hewett | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A

* Death of Manners-Sutton

By-Election 13 December 1762: Nottinghamshire  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

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|
|
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| Nonpartisan | Thomas Willoughby | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Nonpartisan hold | Swing | N/A |
General election 28 March 1768: Nottinghamshire (2 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

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|
|
|

| Nonpartisan | Thomas Willoughby | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Nonpartisan | John Hewett | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A

### Elections in the 1770s

[edit]

General election 19 October 1774: Nottinghamshire (2 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

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|
|
|

| Nonpartisan | Henry Pelham-Clifton | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Nonpartisan | Thomas Willoughby | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A

* Succession of Willoughby as the 4th Baron Middleton

By-Election 11 January 1775: Nottinghamshire  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

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|
|
|

| Nonpartisan | Edward Bentinck | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Nonpartisan hold | Swing | N/A |

* Death of Lincoln

By-Election 9 December 1778: Nottinghamshire  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

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|
|
|

| Nonpartisan | Charles Medows | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Nonpartisan hold | Swing | N/A |

### Elections in the 1780s

[edit]

General election 13 September 1780: Nottinghamshire (2 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

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|
|
|

| Nonpartisan | Edward Bentinck | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Nonpartisan | Charles Medows | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
General election 21 April 1784: Nottinghamshire (2 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

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|
|
|

| Nonpartisan | Edward Bentinck | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Nonpartisan | Charles Medows | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A

* Charles Medows adopted the surname of Pierrepont in 1788

### Elections in the 1790s

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General election 1790: Nottinghamshire (2 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

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|
|
|

| Nonpartisan | Edward Bentinck | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Nonpartisan | Charles Pierrepont | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
General election 1796: Nottinghamshire (2 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

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|
|
|

| Nonpartisan | William Bentinck | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Nonpartisan | Evelyn Pierrepont | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A

* Note (1796): Stooks Smith incorrectly has Lord Edward Bentinck returned at this election rather than Lord William Bentinck

### Elections in the 1800s

[edit]

* Death of Pierrepont

By-Election November 1801: Nottinghamshire  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

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|
|
|

| Nonpartisan | Charles Pierrepont | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Nonpartisan hold
General election 1802: Nottinghamshire (2 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

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|
|
|

| Nonpartisan | William Bentinck | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Nonpartisan | Charles Pierrepont | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A

* Resignation of Bentinck

By-Election April 1803: Nottinghamshire  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

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|
|
|

| Nonpartisan | Anthony Eyre (MP)  | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Nonpartisan hold

* Pierrepont became known by the courtesy title of Viscount Newark, when his father was advanced in the peerage by being created Earl Manvers in 1806.

General election 1806: Nottinghamshire (2 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

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|
|
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| Nonpartisan | Charles Pierrepont | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Nonpartisan | Anthony Eyre (MP)  | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
General election 1807: Nottinghamshire (2 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

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|
|
|

| Nonpartisan | Charles Pierrepont | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Nonpartisan | Anthony Eyre (MP)  | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A

### Elections in the 1810s

[edit]

General election 1812: Nottinghamshire (2 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

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|
|
|

| Nonpartisan | Charles Pierrepont | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Nonpartisan | William Bentinck | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A

* Resignation of Bentinck

By-Election April 1814: Nottinghamshire  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

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|
|
|

| Tory | Frank Sotheron | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Tory gain from Nonpartisan

* Succession of Newark as 2nd Earl Manvers

By-Election June 1816: Nottinghamshire  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Nonpartisan | William Bentinck | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Nonpartisan hold
General election 1818: Nottinghamshire (2 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Tory | Frank Sotheron | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Nonpartisan | William Bentinck | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A

* Frank adopted the new surname of Sotheron

### Elections in the 1820s

[edit]

General election 1818: Nottinghamshire (2 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Tory | Frank Sotheron | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Nonpartisan | William Bentinck | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
General election 1826: Nottinghamshire (2 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Tory | Frank Sotheron | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Whig | John Saville Lumley  | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A

### Elections in the 1830s

[edit]

General election 1830: Nottinghamshire (2 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Tory | Frank Sotheron | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Whig | John Saville Lumley  | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
General election 1831: Nottinghamshire (2 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Whig | John Saville Lumley  | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Whig | Evelyn Denison | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A

* Constituency divided in (1832)

## See also

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* List of former United Kingdom Parliament constituencies
* Unreformed House of Commons

## References

[edit]

* British Parliamentary Election Results 1832–1885, compiled and edited by F.W.S. Craig (Macmillan Press 1977)
* The House of Commons 1754–1790, by Sir Lewis Namier and John Brooke (HMSO 1964)
* The Parliaments of England by Henry Stooks Smith (1st edition published in three volumes 1844–50), second edition edited (in one volume) by F.W.S. Craig (Political Reference Publications 1973)) out of copyright
* Robert Beatson, A Chronological Register of Both Houses of Parliament (London: Longman, Hurst, Res & Orme, 1807) [1]
* 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) [2]
* J E Neale, The Elizabethan House of Commons (London: Jonathan Cape, 1949)
* Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs – Constituencies beginning with "N" (part 3)