1702 Scottish general election explained

Election Name:Scottish general election, 1702
Country:Kingdom of Scotland
Type:parliamentary
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:1689 Scottish general election
Next Year:1708 (GB)
Elected Mps:List of constituencies in the Parliament of Scotland at the time of the Union
Election Date:30 June 1702before 6 May 1703
Leader1:Duke of Queensberry
Party1:Court Party
Seat Change1:
Leader2:Duke of Hamilton
Party2:Country Party (Britain)
Seat Change2:
Leader3:Earl of Home
Party3:Cavaliers

General elections were held in Scotland in 1702 to return members to serve in the Parliament of Scotland. The new government would be a minority Court Party administration, led by the Duke of Queensberry as Lord High Commissioner. The election took place amidst the War of the Spanish Succession, and one of Queensberry's key main priorities was to secure Scottish funding for the war. The new parliament assembled in Edinburgh on 6 May 1703.[1]

Queensberry sought to build an alliance between his Court party and the Episcopalian Cavalier faction, whose parliamentary presence had been increased by the election. This alliance was in part driven by Queen Anne's own Anglicanism and Stewart heritage.[2] For their support, the Cavaliers requested greater toleration for Episcopalians. The parliament was still predominantly Presbyterian, and neither Queensberry or his Court faction favoured toleration. Any increased support from Cavaliers as a result of a deal would likely be balanced by a loss in support from Presbyterian opponents to toleration.[3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9]

Dates of election

At this period elections did not take place at the same time in every constituency. The returning officer in each shire or burgh fixed the precise date (see hustings for details of the conduct of the elections).

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Scottish Parliament in revolt 1703.
  2. Book: Bowie, Karin. Scottish Public Opinion and the Anglo-Scottish Union, 1699-1707. 1 January 2007. Boydell & Brewer Ltd. 9780861932894. Google Books.
  3. Book: Stephen, Jeffrey. Defending the Revolution: The Church of Scotland 1689–1716. 13 May 2016. Routledge. 9781317153641. Google Books.
  4. Book: Bowie, Karin. Scottish Public Opinion and the Anglo-Scottish Union, 1699-1707. 1 January 2007. Boydell & Brewer Ltd. 9780861932894. Google Books.
  5. Book: Ferguson, William. Scotland's Relations with England: A Survey to 1707. 1 January 1977. The Saltire Society. 9780854110582. Google Books.
  6. Book: Lawson, John Parker. History of the Scottish Episcopal Church: From the Revolution to the Present Time. 188. scottish parliament 1702 cavaliers episcopalian.. 1 January 1843. Gallie and Bayley. Internet Archive.
  7. Book: Moore, Edward A.. Strategy Six Pack 8: A Short History of Scotland, The Battle of Blenheim, A Cannoneer Under Stonewall Jackson, King Alfred, The Greeks and Captain Cook. 7 November 2016. Enhanced Media Publishing. 9781365492129. Google Books.
  8. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/80551.pdf Publicity, Parties and Patronage: Parliamentary Management and the Ratification of the Anglo-Scottish Union
  9. Web site: A Short History of Scotland, by Andrew Lang on Undiscovered Scotland: XXIX: Preliminaries to the Union. Undiscovered Scotland. By.