Northallerton remained a close borough (without a corporation) jointly controlled since 1745 by the Peirse and Lascelles families, who returned one Member each. Henry Peirse of Bedale returned himself throughout, serving 50 years in all. Edward Lascelles succeeded his cousin to the other seat. On his becoming Lord Harewood, he returned his heir, at whose death there was an interval during which Peirse’s nephew kept the seat warm for the deceased’s brother. Henry Peirse wrote to the reformer Rev. Christopher Wyvill, 6 Dec. 1798:
Lord Harewood and myself have the majority of votes in the borough of N. Allerton. I have abt. 190 votes or upwards, about 70 of these may now be independent votes. We separately possess about 50 each and the others have been jointly purchased. The majority has certainly been purchased for the last thirty years and it is our union which may bring N. Allerton under the denomination of a closed borough.
in burgage holders
Number of voters: about 200