Thetford (UK Parliament constituency)

Thetford was a constituency of the British House of Commons. It elected two Members of Parliament (MPs) by the bloc vote system of election. It was disenfranchised under the Representation of the People (Scotland) Act 1868, which had resulted in a net increase of seven seats in Scotland, offset by the disenfranchisement of seven English Boroughs.

Below are those MPs who held the seat from just prior to the Restoration onwards.

FitzRoy family
Due to the town's close proximity to Euston Hall (the main residence of the FitzRoy family), the seat for Thetford has been held by various members of the family:


 * 1733-54 & 1774-82: Charles FitzRoy-Scudamore
 * 1739-41: Lord Augustus FitzRoy
 * 1774-80: Hon. Charles FitzRoy
 * 1782-84: George FitzRoy, Earl of Euston
 * 1806-12: Lord William FitzRoy
 * 1812-18: Lord John FitzRoy
 * 1818-30: Lord Charles FitzRoy
 * 1830-34: Lord James FitzRoy
 * 1847-63: William FitzRoy, Earl of Euston
 * 1863-65: Lord Frederick FitzRoy

Elections in the 1830s
FitzRoy's death caused a by-election.

Elections in the 1840s
Due to the triple return, on petition, one vote was knocked off FitzRoy's total and Flower was declared elected in 1842.

Baring was appointed Paymaster General, requiring a by-election.

Baring succeeded to the peerage, becoming 2nd Baron Ashburton and causing a by-election.

Elections in the 1850s
Baring resigned, causing a by-election.

Elections in the 1860s
FitzRoy succeeded to the peerage, becoming 6th Duke of Grafton and causing a by-election.

Baring resigned, causing a by-election.