Ripon

At George I’s accession the sitting Members for Ripon were John Aislabie of Studley Royal, Whig, and his relation by marriage, John Sharpe, son of the Archbishop of York, a Tory, who had shared the representation without opposition since 1705. In 1715 Aislabie owned about 40 burgages, having spent over £5000 on purchases, while Sharpe owned 11 out of some 180. At the general election that year Sharpe was defeated by Lord Castlecomer, a neighbouring Whig landowner, supported by Aislabie, who headed the poll. By 1720 Aislabie, whose brother had succeeded to the second seat on Castlecomer’s death in 1719, had purchased 36½ more burgages, including all Sharpe’s, thenceforth nominating both Members. By 1744 he owned 91 out of a total of 177 burgages, giving him absolute control of the borough.1Vyner mss in Leeds Public Library, ex inf. J. A. Woods.