Caernarvon Boroughs

<p>By 1754 Caernarvon Boroughs was firmly under the control of the Wynn family of Glynllivon. They held the constableship of Caernarvon castle; the mayoralty of Nevin was hereditary in the family; that of Pwllheli in their allies the Vaughans of Corsygedol; but Criccieth was controlled by the Owens of Brogyntyn. The Wynns were unchallenged until a family dispute opened the way for a rival interest. After the general election of 1780 Glyn Wynn realised that his elder brother, Lord Newborough, who had been defeated for the county, would demand the borough for himself. The brothers quarrelled; Glyn Wynn allied himself with Lord Paget; and in June 1782 obtained the appointment of his nominee Richard Howard as constable of Caernarvon castle in place of Lord Newborough. During the next two years Paget created over 750 new voters in Caernarvon, most from his own tenantry.<a class='fnlink' id='t1' href='#fn1'>1<span>Caernarvon borough arhives, D1/6-8.</span></a></p><p>Lord Bulkeley, however, hostile to both Wynn and Paget, secured the agreement of Robert Godolphin Owen of Brogyntyn to the creation of over 400 new freemen in Criccieth; and in December 1783 sponsored the candidature of Lord Newborough, despite his absence in Italy, for the forthcoming general election. When Glyn Wynn went over to Pitt early in 1784 Bulkeley, a strong supporter of the Administration, agreed to drop his opposition; and his defection lost Lord Newborough the election. This fratricidal conflict cost the Wynn family control of the constituency, which towards the end of this period was passing into the hands of Lord Paget (created in May 1784 Earl of Uxbridge).</p>