Carlisle

Carlisle lay between the estates of two Whig families, the Howards, earls of Carlisle, who traditionally recommended one Member, and the Lowthers, Viscounts Lonsdale, who normally refrained under George I and George II from competing with the Howards in Carlisle, for fear of reprisals in county elections. The frequent contests arose from the rival claims of three lesser families, the Stanwixes, the Aglionbys, and the Musgraves, to the other seat.

In 1715 Lord Carlisle recommended William Strickland in conjunction with Thomas Stanwix,1R. S. Ferguson, Cumb. and Westmld. M.P.s, 101. who had sat for Carlisle with Howard support since 1702. Before the next general election Lord Carlisle had fallen out with Stanwix, who was ousted by Henry Aglionby, though Lord Lonsdale ordered his tenants to vote for Stanwix.2Lonsdale to ‘My tenants in Burgh Barony who are freemen of Carlisle’, 28 Dec. 1721, Lowther mss. In 1727 Aglionby, having quarrelled with Lord Carlisle, was replaced by John Hylton, a Tory connected with the Musgraves. For nearly 20 years Hylton shared the representation with Lord Carlisle’s son, Charles Howard, co-operating with him at elections, though it was considered inadvisable for them to solicit votes jointly.3HMC Carlisle, 101. In 1734 Howard and Hylton were unsuccessfully opposed by Aglionby, who since his quarrel with Lord Carlisle had attached himself to Lord Lonsdale. Lonsdale however refused to intervene in his favour, though, he observed,

it was by no means my intention to give up this town entirely into the hands of Lord Carlisle and Mr. Hylton, for I knew that Mr. Aglionby would make a good battle if he did not carry it, and would keep up an interest that would find employment for my enemies, and which perhaps I might have the benefit of another time if there was any particular person that I much desired to bring into Parliament.4B. Bonsall, Sir Jas. Lowther and Cumb. and Westmld. Elections, 9-10.

In 1741 they were opposed by Thomas Stanwix’s heir, John Stanwix, with the support of the corporation. The mayor, as returning officer, procured a majority for him over Hylton by closing the poll before most of the electorate had voted; but Hylton recovered his seat on petition. On Hylton’s death in 1746 Stanwix was returned against Hylton’s nephew, Sir Richard Musgrave, thenceforth sharing the representation with Charles Howard.