Voting in the West Riding - Pre Reform Act of 1832

[karen58]

Hi Everyone

What property qualifications did a man need to vote in the West Riding before the Reform Act of 1832?

Reading Wikipedia isn't helping me understand the early British electoral system - just giving me headache.

Wiki states that from 1432 'owners of freehold property or land worth at least forty shillings in a particular county were entitled to vote in that county'.

Is this true of all counties, including Yorkshire.

Would appreciate any help.

Warm Regards
Karen

[osprey]

it was true of all counties, but the qualifications differed in the various boroughs.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/pathways/citizenship/struggle_democracy/getting_vote.htm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/higher/history/democracy/changes/revision/1/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotten_and_pocket_boroughs

http://www.whodoyouthinkyouaremagazine.com/blog/how-did-our-ancestors-vote

hope the links help

[osprey]

forgot to say don't confuse boroughs at that time with boroughs of today. Many of them were tiny & in unlikely places. While in the Cornwall record Office, I found a reference to a relative living in the Borough of Mitchell. One of the archivists knew about it. It was small at that time & no longer exists as a borough

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitchell_(UK_Parliament_constituency)

[karen58]

Hello osprey

Thank you. The links were helpful.

Warm Regards
Karen