Main Article
<p>Three families dominated Rutland politics: the Cecils, Earls of Exeter; the Noels, Earls of Gainsborough; and the Finches, Earls of Winchilsea.</p><p>In 1754 and 1761 Exeter and Gainsborough joined together to keep out Winchilsea’s candidate. In 1761 both sides angled for the support of <a href="/landingpage/60270" title="Sir Gilbert Heathcote" class="link">Sir Gilbert Heathcote</a>, the one commoner in Rutland of sufficient property to challenge the peers, but Heathcote would not commit himself and had not ambition or energy to push his own interest. In 1768, 1774, 1780 and 1784 one Exeter and one Gainsborough candidate were returned without opposition.</p>