Berwick's Members of Parliament

MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT FOR BERWICK ST JAMES.

The recent election has made me think of the history of Parliamentary Representation for Berwick.

There is a list from 1295 of the Members of Parliament who represented our village.

Before the Reform Act of 1832 Parliamentary Representation was by MP’s elected from various boroughs – in South  Wiltshire these included Salisbury, Wilton, Old Sarum, Downton, Hindon, Heytesbury and Westbury with 2 M Ps each.

Everyone who lived outside the boroughs (and had a vote!) voted for two “county” seats.

In 1831 the whole of Wiltshire had an electorate of only 1200, who returned 34 members to parliament. In 2024 the electorate of 391,000 returned 6 M P’s.

The Reform Act 1832 meant there were in total 18 seats in Wiltshire – now south Wiltshire had 2 MP’s from Salisbury, one from Wilton and one from Westbury, and two southern “county “ seats. Amongst the seats which disappeared were the two from the infamous Rotten Borough of Old Sarum.

Before the extension of franchise in the Reform Act of 1885 to include farm labourers, Berwick had 3 voters – you had to have property worth over £10. They were Erlysman Charles Pinckney, John Simpkins, and Francis Webb (who voted in Salisbury).

This Reform Act of 1885 left one MP from Salisbury and one southern “county” seat.

In 1886 there were 35 voters in Berwick.  In 1915 38 voters.

The Representation of the People Act 1918 gave the vote to all men over 21 and women over 30 who were householders or wives of householders.

Berwick had 86 voters in 1918 (including 18 men who were “Naval or Military” voters, and 30 women).

The representation of the People Act 1928 gave all men and women the vote on the same terms (over 21, without property requirements).

In 1935 there were 92 voters, in 1946 133 voters plus 4 service voters.

Who were our MP’s?

In 1295 Henry Pratell  Henry Thistledene

1831 John Benett (of Pyt House Tisbury) and John Dugdale Astley.

1832 John Benett  Hon S Herbert. 

1885 Reform Act. Wilton one seat. Sir T F Grove

1918 Reform Act. Salisbury one seat. Hugh Morrison

1942-1964. J G Morrison. 

1965–1979. M A Hamilton.

1983–2010. Robert Key

2010–2024. John Glen. 

2024 Re-organization of boundaries. Now East Wiltshire. Danny Kruger.

All these MP’s would have interesting stories – but did any of the pre-Reform Act of 1832 know Berwick?  These MP’s had to represent the whole of the county excluding the boroughs. They were mainly drawn from a small circle of local gentry.

However, the Howe family from Wishford were MP’s from the mid 1600’s to the mid 1700’s. They owned the southern part of Berwick including The Clock House for many years.

John Howe of Wishford voted against Walpole’s government continuously until 1739 when he voted with them. He was made Lord Chedworth in May 1741.

Researched and written by Nicky Street. July 24

 

LIST OF MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT WHO REPRESENTED BERWICK (AMONGST OTHER PLACES).  From 1295 to Now.

The list is in order of the year of the reign of each king, some kings had more than one Parliament in one year - some had no parliaments at all in some years!

I have put the names into English if I can, but I have left the spelling!

Wiltshire County Seats.

23 Edward 1 1295. Henry Pratell.  Henry Thistledene

26 Edward 1 1298.  William Cotes.  John Grymestede

28 Edward 1 1299-1300. Peter son of Warin. William Cotes.

30 Edward 1 1302.  John Grymsted  Henry Thistelden.

33 Edward 1 1304-5. Thomas de Sancto Omero. Henry Thysteldone.

34 Edward 1 1306.  Hugo Wake. William de Insula Bona.

35 Edward 1 1306-7  Adam Walrand. William Wodefaude.

1 Edward 11 1307  Thomas Chaucomb. William  Harden.

1 Edward 11 1307-8  William Hareden. Stephen Brightmerston.

2 Edward 11 1309  William Harden  Stephen Brightmerston

5 Edward 11 1311  Sir William Cotes  Sir Henry Praeres.

5 Edward 11 1311 Sir William Cotes. Sir John Rous

6 Edward 11 1312  Sir Hugo Strode. Sir Robert Lucy

6 Edward 11 1312-13  Sir William cotes. Sir John Vyvonia

7 Edward 11 1313. Walter Pavely. Richard Chuselden

7 Edward 11 1313. Adam Walraund. Richard Chiseldene.

8 Edward  11 1314.  Ingelramus Beregar. John de la Mare.

8 Edward 11 1314-15. Sir Walter Gascelyn  Sir John Bysshop

9 Edward 11 1315-16. Thomas Chaucombe

10 Edward 11 1318.  John le Rous. Nicholas de Kynggeston.

11 Edward 11 1318. Edmund Gascelyn. Henry Prayers.

12 Edward 11 1318. Nicholas Kynggston. William de Lye.

12 Edward 11 1319.  Robert Cauntelow. Henry Prayers.

14 Edward 11 1320. Robert Cantilupo. Adam Walraund.

15 Edward 11 1321. William Wauton. Philip de la Beche.

15 Edward 11 1322 Sir Ingeramus Berenger. Sir Michael de Anne.

16 Edward 11 1322. John de Sancto Laudo. John Bonham.

17 Edward 11 1323-4 Sir Adam Walraund. Sir Robert Hongerford.

18 Edward 11 1324 Ingelramus Berengar. Adam Walraound.

19 Edward 11 1325 Adam Walraund. Robert Hongerford.

20 Edward 11 1326-7  Sir Robert Selyman. Robert Hongerford.

1 Edward 111 1327. Sir Edmund Gacelyn Sir John Bradenstock

2 Edward 111 1327-8. Gilbert Berewyk  William Randolf

2 Edward 111 1328 Gilbert Berewyk. John Farlegh

2 & 3 Edward 111 1328  1328-9. Hildebrand London  Robert Hungerford.

4 Edward 111 1329-30  Peter Doygnel. Robert Hungerford.

4 Edward 111 1330. Reginald Pavely. Robert Hungerford.

5 Edward 111 1331. Hildebrand London. Robert Hungerford.

6 Edward 111 1331-2  Hildebrand London Walter Hungerford

6 Edward 111 1332 John Harnham William Percehay

6 Edward 111 1332  Sir John Kingstone  Sir Edmund Gascelyn

8 Edward 111 1333-4  Walter Hungerford  Roger Lesewy

8 Edward 111 1334. Robert Hungerford.  Robert Bilkemor

9 Edward 111 1335.  John de la Roche  William Randolf

10 Edward 111 1335-6  Robert Bilkemore  William Randolf.

10 Edward 111 1336  Sir Walter Hungerford  Sir John de Roches

11 Edward 111 1337. Sir Robert Selyman  Sir Peter Doynel

12 Edward 111 1337-8  William de Seynt Omer.  Peter Doynel

12 Edward 111 1338  Gilbert Berewyk   William Percehay

12-13 Edward 111 1338-9  Robert Hungerford   William Percehay

13 Edward 111 1339  John de la Roche William Percehay

13 Edward 111 1339-40  John de Mere  Oliver Servynton

14 Edward 111 1340  John Boklond.  Oliver Servynton

15 Edward 111 1341  John Boklonde  William Golafre

17 Edward 111 1343  Nicholas Lamberd  William Percehay

18 Edward 111 1344 Hildebrand London  Henry Percy

20 Edward 111 1346  Gilbert  Berewyk  Robert Haveresham

21 Edward 111 1347-8  Richard Lente  Nicholas Lampard

22 Edward 111 1348  Nicholas Lampard   Richard Lente

22 Edward 111 1348-9  Prorogued on account of the plague.

25 Edward 111 1350-1  William Walkynton  Gilbert Berewyk

25 Edward 111 1351-2  William fitzWarren  John Shadewell

26 Edward 111 1352 Lord John Saint Lawe.

27 Edward 111 1353  Thomas de St Maur

28 Edward 111 1354  Thomas Seymor [de St Maur?].  Edmund Everard.

29 Edward 111 1355  John Westbury  Nicholas Bonham

31 Edward 111 1357  Gilbert Berewyk  Thomas Hungerford.

32 Edward 111 1357-8  Sir John Stokes  Sir Robert London.

34 Edward 111 1360 Thomas Hungerford  Michael Skillyng

34 Edward 111 1360-1  Sir Lawrence St Martin.  Sir Robert London

36 Edward 111 1362  Henry Estormy or Sturmy  Thomas Hungerford.

37 Edward 111 1363  Sir Robert delaMare  Sir Henry Sturmy

38 Edward 111 1364-5  Sir Thomas West Sir Robert delaMare

40 Edward 111 1366 Robert delaMare  Nicholas Bonham

42 Edward 111 1368  Sir Henry Sturmy  Sir Thomas de la Ryver

43 Edward 111 1369  Sir Robert delaMare  Sir John Thorp

45 Edward 111 1370-1  Laurence StMartin  Thomas dela Ryver

45 Edward 111 1371.  Lawrence St Martin

46 Edward 111 1372  Sir Robert delaMare  Sir Nicholas Bonham

47 Edward 111 1373 Sir Robert de la Mare  Sir Nicholas Bonham

50 Edward 111 1375-6 Sir John de la Mare  Nicholas Bonham

51 Edward 111 1376-7  Sir Robert de la Mare Sir Thomas Hungerford

1 Richard 11 1377  Philip fitzWarren  Nicholas Bonham

2 Richard 11 1378  John Daunteseye  Ralph Cheynee

3 Richard 11 1379-80  Sir Thomas Hungerford  Sir Lawrence StMartin

4 Richard 11 1380  Thomas Hungerford  Nicholas Bonham

5 Richard 11 1381  Sir John Dauntesey  Sir John de Roche

6 Richard 11 1382  Sir John Dauntesey  Sir John de Roche

6 Richard 11 1382-3  Sir John de Roche  Hugo Cheyne

7 Richard 11 1383  Sir Thomas Hungerford  Nicholas Bonham

7 Richard 11 1384  Sir Thomas Hungerford  Sir John de Roches

8 Richard 11 1384 Sir Humphrey Stafford  Sir Robert Russell

9 Richard 11 1385  Sir Robert Corbet  Sir Hugo Cheyne

10 Richard 11 1386 Sir Thomas Hungerford  Sir Ralph Cheyne

11 Richard 11 1387-8  John Dauntesey  John Budesthorn

12 Richard 11 1388  Sir Ralph Cheyne  Richard Horn

13 Richard 11 1389-90  Thomas Hungerford William Esturmy

14 Richard 11 1390  John Roche  John Wroth

15 Richard 11 1391  Bernard Brocas  Robert Dyngle

16 Richard 11  1392-3  Sir Thomas Hungerford Sir William Esturmy

17 Richard 11 1393-4  Sir John Roches  John Gawayn

18 Richard 11 1394-5  Sir John Lislebon  John Gowayn

20 Richard 11 1396-7  Sir John Roche  Sir Robert Corbet

21 Richard 11 1397-8  Sir Henry Grene  Sir Thomas Blount

23 Richard 11 1399  The King abdicated 29 September and parliament did not meet.

1 Henry IV 1399  Sir Willliam Esturmy  Sir John Roche

2 Henry IV 1400-1  Sir William Sturmy   Sir Walter Hungerford

3 Henry IV 1402  Sir John Berklegh  Sir Thomas Calston

5 Henry IV 1403  Richard Maurdyn  Peter Scanter

6 Henry IV 1404  Sir Walter Hungerford  William Worston

7 Henry IV 1404-6  Thomas Bonham  Thomas Calston

9 Henry IV 1407. William Hungerford  William Stourton

No returns found until

1 Henry V 1413  Sir William Esturmy  Walter Hungerford

2 Henry V  1413-14  Sir William Molyns  Sir Walter Hungerford

2 Henry V 1414 Sir William Esturmy  Thomas Bonham

3 Henry V 1415  Thomas Bonham  William Alisaundre

5 Henry V 1417  Sir William Esturmy John Westbury Jnr

7 Henry V 1419  John Westbury Jnr  Robert Asshelegh

8 Henry V 1420  John Persons Junior  John Rous

9 Henry V 1421 Robert Long  Richard Melbourne

9 Henry V 1421 John Stourton jnr  Robert Long

1 Henry VI 1422  Sir William Sturmy  Robert Andrew

2 Henry VI 1423  Robert Long  Richard Melbourne

3 Henry VI 1425  Richard Melbourne  John Stourton

4 Henry VI  1425-6  Sir Robert Shotesbroke  Robert Andrew

6 Henry VI 1427  William Darrell   John Poulet

8 Henry VI  1429  Edmund Cheyny Robert Longe

9 Henry VI 1430-1  John Beynton  William Darell

10 Henry VI 1432  Sir John Stourton  William Darell

11 Henry VI 1433  Robert Andow  Robert Long

14 Henry VI  1435  Sir Edmund Hungerford  John Seymour

15 Henry VI 1436-7  Sir John Beynton  John Fortescu

20 Henry VI 1441-2  Henry Grene  John Lye de Flammeston

25 Henry VI  1446-7  Sir William Beauchamp  John Seyntlo

27 Henry VI 1448-9  Sir John Baynton  Henry Long

28 Henry VI  1449  John Dewall  Richard Warre.

29 Henry VI 1450  John Russell  John Whittokesmede

31 Henry VI  1452-3  John Saymour  Henry Long

33 Henry VI 1455 John Wroughton  Thomas Wynslowe

38 Herny VI 1459  Thomas Hungerford   John Sayomour

returns not found

7 Edward IV 1467  Sir Roger Tocotes  Sir John Willughby

no returns found

12 Edward IV 1472  Sir Roger Tocotes  Sri Henry Long

17 Edward IV  1477-8  Walter Hungerford  John Cheyne

no returns found

21 Henry VIII 1529 Sir Edward Darrell  Sir Edward Baynton

no returns found until

1 Mary 1553 Wilts county - writ only

1 Mary 1554  Sir William Wroughton  Sir John Mervyn

1 & 2 Phillip and Mary 1554  No Wilts County

2 & 3 Phillip and Mary  1555  Henry Bodenham  William Baseley

4 & 5 Phillip and Mary 1557-8 George Penruddock  Nicholas Snell

1 Elizabeth 1558-9  Sir John Thynne  John Erneley

5 Elizabeth  1562-3  Edward Baynton John Eyer

14 Elizabeth  1572  Sir George Penruddock  James Marvyn

27 Elizabeth  1584  Charon Rowley  Anthony Mildmay

28 Elizabeth 1586  William Browncker  Charon Rawley

30 & 31 Elizabeth 1588 1588-9 John  Thynne  William Brouncker

35 Elizabeth 1592-3  Sir William Longe  Sir William Brouncker

39 Elizabeth 1597  Sir William Eyre  Henry Baynton

43 Elizabeth 1601  Sir Edmund Carye  Sir Edward Hungerford

1 James 1  1603-4  Sir Francis Popham  Sir John Thynne

12 James 1  1614   No returns found.

18 James 1  1620-1  Sir Francis Seymor  Sir Edward Baynton

21 James 1 1623-4  Edward Hungerford  Sir John StJohn

1 Charles 1 1625  Sir Francis Seymour  Sir Henry Ley

1 Charles 1 1625-6  Sir Henry Poole  Walter Long

3 Charles 1  1627-8  Sir Francis Seymour  Sir William Button

16 Charles 1 1640  Philip Lord Herbert of Cardiff & Sherland.  Sir Francis Seymour

16 Charles 1 1640. The Long Parliament

                               Sir James Thynne  Sir Henry Ludlowe

                              James Herbert and Edmund Ludlowe vice Sir Henry Ludlowe deceased and  

                                   Sir James Thynne - disabled to sit.

Interregnum 1653.

A List of this parliament is given in Browne Willis’ “Notitia Parliamentaria”

1654. Sir Anthony Ashley Cooper  Alexander Popham, Thomas Grove, Alexander Thistlethwayte, Francis Hollis, John Earnley, William Yorke, John Norden, James Ashe, Gabriel Martin, William Eyre.

Richard Cromwell 1658-9  Sir Walter St John  Sir Anthony Ashley Cooper.

Commonwealth 1659 

12 Charles 11 1660 [this is actually his first year] Sir Anthony Ashley Cooper  John Earnley

13 Charles 11 1661  Charles Seymour - called to Upper House as Lord Seymour, Sir James Thynne took over, he died, Thomas Thynne took over.  Henry Hyde - Sir Richard Grobham Howe took over as Hyde to Upper House as Earl of Clarendon.

Next!

31 Charles 11 1678-9  Sir Richard Grobham Howe  Thomas Thynne

31 Charles 11 1679 Sir Walter StJohn  Thomas Thynne

33 Charles 11 1680-1  Sir Walter StJohn  Thomas Thynne

1 James 11 1685  Edward Lord Cornbury  Thomas Lord Bruce

Convention 1688-9  1689-90 Edward Viscount Cornbury  Sir Thomas Mompesson

2 William and Mary 1689-90  Edward Viscount Cornbury  Sir Walter St John

7 William 111 1695  Sir George Hungerford  Henry St John

10 William 111 1698  Sir Edward Ernle  Sir George Hungerford

12 William 111 1700-01  Sir George Hungerford  Richard How

13 William 111 1701  Maurice Ashley  William Ashe

1 Anne 1702  Richard Howe   Robert Hyde

4 Anne 1705  Sir Richard Howe  Robert Hyde

7 Anne 1708  Sir Richard Howe  Robert Hyde

9 Anne 1710  Sir Richard Howe  Robert Hyde

12 Anne 1713  Sir Richard Howe  Robert Hyde

1 George 1  1714-15  Sir Richard How  Robert Hyde

8 George 1 1722  Sir Richard How  Robert Hyde

1 George 11 1727  Sir James Long - John How for Long who died.  John Ivory Talbot

8 George 11 1734  John Talbot of Laycock.  John Howe of Wishford

15 George 11 1741  Sir Robert Long  Edward Popham

21 George 11 1747  Sir Robert Long  Edward Popham

27 George 11 1754  Sir Robert Long  Edward Popham

1 George 111 1761  Sir Robert Long  Edward Popham

8 George 111  1768 Edward Popham - Ambrose Goddard for Popham who died.  Thomas Goddard - Charles Penruddock for Goddard who died.

15 George 111 1774  Charles Penruddock  Ambrose Goddard

21 George 111 1780  Charles Penruddock  Ambrose Goddard

24 George 111 1784  Charles Penruddock - Sir James Tylney Long for Penruddock who died. Ambrose Goddard.

30 George 111 1790  Sir James Tylney Long - Henry Penruddock Wyndham for Long who died.  Ambrose Goddard.

36 George 111 1796  Ambrose Goddard  Henry Penruddock Wyndham

42 George 111 1802  Ambrose Goddard  Henry Penruddock Wyndham

47 George 111 1806  Henry Penruddock Wyndham  Richard Long

48 George 111 1807  Henry Penruddock Wyndham  Richard Long

53 George 111 1812.  Richard Godolphin Long  Paul Methuen

58 George 111 1818  Paul Methuen - John Benett for Methuen who took the Stewardship of the Chiltern Hundreds.  William Pole Tylney Long Wellesley

1 George IV 1820. John Benett (Pyt House Tisbury)  John Dugdale Astley

7 George IV 1826. John Benett  John Dugdale Astley

1 William IV 1830  John Benett  John Dugdale Astley

1 William IV 1831  John Benett  John Dugdale Astley

REFORM ACT

Now by election date.

Wiltshire Southern Two Seats.

1832  J Benett  Hon S Herbert.

1835  J Benett  Hon S Herbert

1837  J Benett  Hon S Herbert

1841  J Benett  Hon S Herbert

1847  J Benett  Hon S Herbert

1852  Hon S Herbert  W Wyndham

1857  Hon S Herbert  W Wyndham

1859  Hon S Herbert  Lord Henry Thynne

1861 (elevation of Herbert to Peerage - Lord Herbert of Lea) F T A H Bathurst  ……………

 

1868 T F Grove  Lord Henry Thynne

1874  Lord Henry Thynne  Viscount Folkestone

1880 Viscount Folkstone  Lord Henry Thynne

REFORM ACT

Wiltshire Wilton One Seat.

1885  Sir T F Grove 

1886  Sir T F Grove

1892  Viscount Folkestone

1895  Viscount Folkestone

(succession to the Peerage - Earl of Radnor)

1900  J A Morrison

1900  J A Morrison 

1906  L L Morse 

1910  C Bathurst

1910  C Bathurst

(elevation to the Peerage Lord Bledisloe)

1918  H Morrison

REFORM ACT

Wiltshire Salisbury one seat.

1918  H Morrison

1922  H Morrison

1923  Hon H L F Moulton

1924  H Morrison

1929  H Morrison

resignation

1931  J A StG F Despencer-Robertson

1935  J A StG F Despencer-Robertson

death

1942  J G Morrison

1945  J G Morrison

1950  J G Morrison

1951  J G Morrison

1955  J G Morrison

1959  J G Morrison

1964  J G Morrison

Elevation to the peerage - Lord Margadale

1965  M A Hamilton

1966  M A Hamilton

1970  M A Hamilton

1974  M A Hamilton

1974  M A Hamilton

1979  M A Hamilton

1983  Robert Key

1987 Robert Key

1992 Robert Key

1997 Robert Key

2001 Robert Key

2005 Robert Key

2010 John Glen

2015 John Glen

2017 John Glen

2019 John Glen

Boundary Change – now East Wiltshire

2024 Danny Kruger

 

REFERENCES.

Victoria County History of Wilts. Volume Five.

“A List of the Representatives in Parliament 1295 to 1832 for County and Boroughs of Wiltshire” vol 1 1295-1702  vol 11 1705-1832. Transcribed by Canon F H Manley. WAM volXLVII p177.

The Times Guide to the House of Commons May 1997 p222

British Parliamentary Election Results 1832-1885 F W S Craig.

British Parliamentary Election Results 1885-1918 F W S Craig.

British Parliamentary Election Results 1918-1949 F W S Craig.

British Parliamentary Election Results 1950-1970 F W S Craig.

British Parliamentary Election Results 1974-1983 F W S Craig.