Isle of Wight

The Isle of Wight, with an economy dominated by pastoral agriculture, was traditionally and administratively a part of Hampshire, although it possessed a somewhat distinct community with a clearly-defined group of gentry families, many of whom inclined towards royalism in the 1640s. This probably helps explain why Charles I sought sanctuary there on his escape from parliamentarian captivity. The island held its own sessions of the peace with its own justices, and operated its own house of correction. Furthermore, it was exempted from certain local rates and taxes, and possessed a distinct military structure, with militia regiments controlled by a centrally-appointed governor, who was generally able to wield at least some electoral influence on the island.1 Coleby, Hants 1649-1689, 4-5.

The island traditionally had three electoral boroughs – Newport, Newtown and Yarmouth. Under the terms of the Instrument of Government, however, the island was granted county status, and empowered to return two knights of the shire, although this effectively replaced the borough of Newport, the island’s capital, since the latter was disenfranchised during the protectorate of Oliver Cromwell*. Although the number of electors is unknown, the island’s adult population was probably between 6,000 and 7,600.2 Compton Census, 75, 91. Since 1649 the island had been under the governorship of William Sydenham*, a native of Dorset, who had represented Weymouth and Melcombe Regis as a recruiter, and who had served for Hampshire in the Nominated Parliament of 1653. In accordance with tradition at Newport, Sydenham’s position as governor gave him influence over at least one seat on the island, but the protectoral elections reveal that he, like others, considered the available seats to be less desirable than those on the mainland, and in both 1654 and 1656 by-elections were required.

In 1654 Sydenham himself took the second place behind John Lisle*, a native of the island, whose seat lay at Wootton.3 C219/44ii. Neither man accepted the seat. On 4 October Sydenham opted to sit once again as a Member for Dorset, perhaps in the expectation that he would be able to nominate his successor. On 5 October Lisle, who had emerged as one of the region’s most powerful and controversial parliamentarians during the 1640s and in the Rump, opted to sit for Southampton, where he held the position of recorder.4 CJ vii. 372b, 373a. A new writ for the election of their replacements was issued on 12 October, upon which Sir Robert Dillington* and Thomas Bowreman* were returned on 1 November.5 C231/6, p. 298; C219/44ii. Dillington’s estate lay at Knighton, only four miles from Newport, and although as colonel of the militia of the East Medine in the 1640s he had acted on orders from Philip Herbert*, 4th earl of Pembroke, and had been appointed to other parliamentarian commissions, his loyalty had been periodically called in question to the extent of temporary imprisonment.6 CJ ii. 751b, 752b; iii. 157b; CSP Dom. 1644, p. 199. After the election he faced new accusations in Parliament, although it is not clear whether these were political or personal.7 I.o.W. RO, OG/CC/115. Whatever was at issue, it seems unlikely that he had been returned on the interest of either Lisle or Sydenham, but rather that he secured his seat on his own interest. His son – with more substantial experience in parliamentarian administration but recently deceased – had stood unsuccessfully at Newport in the recruiter election of 1645, and members of the family represented the borough consistently after 1660.8 I.o.W. RO, NBC 45/16a, pp. 403, 490; JER/BAR/3/9/8, pp. 41-2; HP Commons 1660-1690; HP Commons 1690-1715. Bowreman, on the other hand, was probably Sydenham’s nominee. Descended from a well-established island family based at Broke and Newport, Bowreman had served Parliament in both military and administrative capacities throughout the wars, and at the time of his election was working closely with Sydenham, as the island’s deputy governor.9 CSP Dom. 1653-4, pp. 112, 172, 201.

Sydenham’s influence was yet more apparent in the election of 1656, when he was returned alongside his deputy, Bowreman, and when he was once more able to nominate his successor when he opted to sit as knight of the shire for Dorset (2 Oct.).10 CJ vii. 431b. The new writ was issued on 27 October, and on 26 November William Lawrence* was elected.11 C231/6, p. 350; C219/45ii. Another native of Dorset, Lawrence was a hard-working Cromwellian administrator in Scotland. As such, he was probably not present at the election, owing his success to Sydenham, his brother-in-law and neighbour.12 Wood, Ath. Ox. iv. 62. He did, however, make his mark in the House, where he first appeared on 26 December.13 C219/45ii; Burton’s Diary, i. 244.

When English constituencies were restored to traditional patterns in 1659, the Isle of Wight ceased to be enfranchised as a county, and Newport was restored as a two-Member constituency, returning Thomas Bowreman alongside Robert Dillington*, grandson of Sir Robert Dillington.