Kingston-upon-Hull

At George I’s accession, the chief interests at Hull were in the sitting Whig Members, Sir William St. Quintin, an East Riding baronet, and William Maister, a Hull merchant, who had shared the representation continuously since the reign of William III. They were supported by the Government, who had an interest based on the officers of the garrison, the customs, and Trinity House, and by the corporation, who could influence elections through the mayor as returning officer and the power of creating freemen. After their deaths the predominant figure in Hull politics was George Crowle, a townsman, who, although originally returned against a candidate backed by the Government and the corporation,1J. R. Boyle, ‘The Story of a Parl. Election’, Hull Times, 3 Jan. 1903. steadily supported Walpole and Pelham, building up a strong interest at great expense to himself. Crowle held his seat for nearly a quarter of a century, the other seat being filled by government supporters without serious opposition. When he retired in 1747 he gave his interest against his brother, to a government candidate,2Poll bk.; Thomas Hill’s letter bk. 8 July 1747, Attingham mss, Salop RO. Lord Robert Manners, who held his seat for the next thirty-five years. In the 2nd Lord Egmont’s electoral survey, c.1749-50, Hull is described as ‘in the Crown’s hands’.