pocket boroughs

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pocket boroughs or nomination boroughs were constituencies where the patron could usually control the return of the members of Parliament. They were often, though not invariably, burgage or corporation boroughs with small electorates. The Frankland family of Thirkleby commanded two seats at Thirsk between 1688 and 1832 without once facing a contest: Sir James Lowther returned nine members in 1784. The number of seats under patronage has been put at over 250 in 1761 out of a total of 558.

J. A. Cannon

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