They were used as a rallying point for the passage of the 1832 Reform Act.
Patrons included Sir Fitzwilliam Barrington and the Duke of Rutland. John Galt's The Member traces their exploitation by the title character, while Tom Paine's The Rights of Man complains about Sarum, which contained "no more than three houses." Dunwich, which had essentially fallen into the sea, voted in Lord Huntingfield. They were used as a rallying point for the passage of the 1832 Reform Act. FTP identify the name for these depopulated election districts which were essentially bought up to insure parliamentary representation for moneyed aristocrats.
Patrons included Sir Fitzwilliam Barrington and the Duke of Rutland.
Rotten boroughs