Aug
1698
Northumberland
Contested
GENERAL ELECTION
Poll book data from:
Holding: Northumberland Archives
Citation: 00650/C/30
Source: Information provided by Dr Edmund M. Green; Jeremy Gibson and Colin Rogers (eds.), Poll Books, 1696–1872: A Directory of Holdings in Great Britain (4th edn., Bury, 2008).
Timeline & Key Statistics
Contexts & Remarks
Date: Thursday 4 Aug. 1698.
Poll book reference: Northumberland Archives, Delaval (Horsley) MSS, 1De/7/119.
The poll book forms part of the Delaval family papers of Seaton Delaval.
Candidates: William Forster (Tory), Sir Edward Blackett (Tory), and Sir John Delaval (Whig).
William Forster of Bamburgh Castle had served on and off as Knight of the Shire for Northumberland from 1689 onwards.
Sir Edward Blackett was a member of Newcastle's companies of Merchant Adventurers and Hostmen, and had previously served as MP for Ripon, Yorkshire in 1689. His family's strong influence in the county of Northumberland was rising, taking on dominance from incumbent Philip Bickerstaffe. Upon the death of Bickerstaffe's wife, the property of Chirton in Northumberland passed to the Blackett family. Blackett was described as a man 'of a very good nature and honest principle'.
Sir John Delaval was connected to the Delavals of Seaton Delaval, having recently inherited his family's property in the county.
The Tory influence in Northumberland remained strong, and both Blackett and Forster were returned as Knights of the Shire. The election was contested by Delaval, but the result was upheld.
Poll Book
Below is a digitised version of the poll book for this election:
