Chapter Two - Elections of 1725 and 1727

Summary

The Parliament of 1722

In the summer leading up to the first session of Parliament in October 1722, Walpole exposed the so-called Atterbury plot to assassinate George I and replace him with the Old Pretender. The key figure of the conspiracy, which started in December 1721, was Francis Atterbury, Bishop of Rochester. He was the son of Lewis Atterbury (d. 1693), one time rector of Milton Keynes, a prebendary of Lincoln Cathedral, and brother of Lewis (1656–1731), a Middlesex clergyman who held land in Cardington and voted in the 1715 election. Robert Atterbury of Newport Pagnell owned land in Billington, enabling him to vote in 1705, 1715 and 1722.

Francis Atterbury plotted to have George killed and to seize the throne for the Old Pretender. By May 1722, secret orders had been issued to cope with the plot if it happened. These became public on 9 May. The London Journal of 12 May 1722,2 probably bought by John Orlebar of Hinwick, on the day of its publication reported under 9 May:

On Sunday last Orders were given for all the Officers to repair to their respective Regiments with all Expedition in order to encamp At an Hour’s warning. On Monday the Ground was mark’d out in Hyde Park, and there began to pitch tents, and form a Camp (Necessaries being sent from the Tower for that Purpose.) On Tuesday all the Foot Guards which were not upon Duty marched, and took their posts there, being view’d by his Majesty and Royal Highness as they passed by: and as the Horse Guards and Grenadiers are order’d to hold themselves in Readiness to march, they will soon encamp there, as will also the Duke of Bolton’s Regiment of Blue Guard, and the Lord Chobham’s Dragoons. … On Wednesday 30 Field Pieces (for Pounders) 4 Mortars, and 14 Powder Waggons were sent from the Tower to the Camp in Hyde Park.

The article said that there was talk of moving other regiments to join them.