Author Description

"After a description of the records available, this study reconstructs the inquest of this period, explains the evolution of the role between 1751 and 1888, describes the election process and examines the motivations of the candidates. With the evidence thus assembled, an assessment is made as to whether the office in these two Midland counties was, as suggested to the House of Commons in 1860, an "object of ambition" for all or any of this period"--Introduction.