Heytesbury

Borough

Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1715-1754, ed. R. Sedgwick, 1970
Available from Boydell and Brewer

Background Information

Right of Election:

in burgage holders

Number of voters:

26

Elections

DateCandidateVotes
24 Jan. 1715EDWARD ASHE 
 WILLIAM ASHE 
19 July 1720EDWARD ASHE re-elected after appointment to office 
22 Mar. 1722EDWARD ASHE20
 PIERCE A'COURT19
 Sir John Osborne2
 Sir John Buckworth1
13 Apr. 1725LORD CHARLES CAVENDISH vice A'Court, deceased 
16 Aug. 1727HORATIO TOWNSHEND 
 EDWARD ASHE 
29 Apr. 1734EDWARD ASHE 
 PIERCE A'COURT 
6 May 1741EDWARD ASHE 
 PIERCE A'COURT 
26 June 1747WILLIAM ASHE 
 PIERCE A'COURT 
25 Jan. 1751WILLIAM A'COURT vice Ashe, deceased 

Main Article

From the reign of Charles II till 1772 Heytesbury was completely controlled by the Ashe family and their successors the A’Courts, who owned most of the burgages and as lords of the manor appointed the returning officer. The seats were held by successive owners of the borough, Edward Ashe (for 52 years), William Ashe and Pierce A’Court Ashe; the other was usually given to close relatives. Except in 1722, when there was a negligible opposition, all Members were returned unopposed. All the Members were government supporters.1

Author: R. S. Lea

Notes

  • 1. J. A. Cannon, ‘Borough of Heytesbury in 18th Cent.’, Wilts. Arch. Mag. lvii. 223-4.