Description for the Register of Electors list 1874 – Northern Norfolk Division

The detailed, donated,  explanation below  explains who and why folks were entitled to vote.  By using the data below it is possible to see who owned certain land, and also their  addresses. Names are interesting, as unlike census entries they are often quoted in full, and some parents obviously had a real sense of humour - see "Cardinal Woolsey ". 

The original document can be perused at the PRO in Kew.  (London).

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The right to vote in England underwent three major Reform Acts in the 19th C.  (some would say it was a way of attracting the socialist vote).  The second reform Act in 1867 widened who could vote. 

During the 19th century a wide range of qualifications existed and, until 1885, there were marked differences between the county and borough franchises for parliamentary purposes.

1832-1867
Most existing voting rights were respected for the lifetime of those enjoying them. In counties the £2 freeholder (who had gained the right to vote in 1429) was joined by: anyone having a life interest in, and occupation of, land worth over £2 and under £5 p.a.; all other holders of real property worth at least £10 (e.g. copyholders); tenants of land paying rent of £ 50 p.a.; leaseholders for 20 years of land with £ 50 clear annual value and for 60 years of land with a clear annual value of £10; there were also number of other, relatively unimportant, categories. In boroughs occupation, either as owner or tenant, of any house or other building worth £10 p.a. for twelve months prior to the registration date (15 July) and on which all rates and assessed taxes had been charged, formed a new standard franchise. Residence within seven miles of the borough was essential. Joint occupancy of premises would qualify each occupier to vote if the value of the premises divided by the number of occupiers provided each with the necessary qualification. The 1832 Act increased the electorate from 450,000 to 650,000.

1867-1884
The county franchise was extended to occupiers (owners or tenants) of lands rated at £12, who paid poor rates. The £10 qualification for holders of various classes of real estate was halved to £5. In boroughs the franchise was extended to all owners and tenants of dwelling houses (or parts thereof if rated separately), and to lodgers occupying lodgings worth £10 p.a.; in each case with twelve months residence. Thus a householder franchise was created in the boroughs and the electorate doubled to one adult male in three. By 1866 the electorate had risen to 1 million and the 1867 Act increased it to 2 million.

COPYHOLD, in English law, an ancient form of land tenure, legally defined as a holding at the will of the lord according to the custom of the manor.

CUSTOMARY FREEHOLD, in English law, a species of tenure which may be described as a variety of copyhold. It is also termed privileged copyhold or copyhold of frank tenure. It is a tenure by copy of court roll, but not expressed to be at the will of the lord. It is, in fact, only a superior kind of copyhold, and the freehold is in the lord. It is subject to the general law of copyholds, except where the law may be varied by the custom of the particular manor.