Increasing borough representation in the Commons

Question 1

Sending localities to Central gov

Answer 1

Able to send 2 MPs - HoC 296 - 462 members by the end of Elizabeth’s reign - decling no. in HoL

• Edward VI made 34 new MPs representing boroguhs (1547-1553)
• Mary made 25 (1553-58)
• Elizabeth made 62 (1558-84)

Question 2

Why did representation grow? - Pressure

Answer 2

Townsmen ensure the interests of their community were promoted (petitions and new laws)

• Edward VI council of York keen to ensure laws were passed to prevent woodland areas being chooped within 25km
• But it wasn’t the primary reason - most weren’t townsmen many members of the gentry - 23% were townsmen by 1601 only 14% LOACH

Question 3

Why did representation grow? - Financially sensible

Answer 3

Reformation - Parliament estimate each town costs £70 for 1 MP - Wealthy towns e.g York can afford but smaller looked to wealthy members of the nobility / gentry to cover

• Dunwich annual income £50 per annum Sir Edmund Rose election would cover in return
• Members keen to because of the opportunties avalible in London - Tudor Court centre of patronage as way to attract royal attention and a career

Question 4

Why did representation grow? -Use of patronage

Answer 4

Controlled by member of nobility / monarch - widespread of patronage crown extended control

• ensured they would obey the crown’s wishes
• Used their landed power to control elections - Henry VIII Duke of Norfolk ensured his clinents were elected to boroughs e.g Reigate and Castle Rising
• mutually beneficial and then boroughs interests were looked after - Monarchs used this to ensure MPs did as they were told - representation grew
• ambitious gentry and patrons keen to extend

Question 5

Why did representation grow? - Extending monarch’s power

Answer 5

Many new boroughs were in regions controlled by the Crown itself e.g Duchies of Cornwall & Lancaster new borough Camelford
-Used these to place its own candidates in Parliament (loyal and experienced servants) e.g Sir Christopher Hatton one of Elizabeth’s most trusted courtiers elected as MP for Higham Ferrers (Duchy of Lancaster) 1571

Allowed creation of seats as it kept the gentry happy + enable them to manipulate elections

By increasing no. of MPs at a time when the HoC rising in confidence , made it harder for monarch to control parliamentary debates