 Many constituencies , especially those with small electorates , were under the control of rich landowners , and were known as nomination boroughs or pocket boroughs , because they were said to be in the pockets of their patrons . Most patrons were noblemen or landed gentry who could use their local influence , prestige , and wealth to sway the voters . This was particularly true in rural counties , and in small boroughs situated near a large landed estate . Some noblemen even controlled multiple constituencies : for example , the Duke of Norfolk controlled eleven , while the Earl of Lonsdale controlled nine . Writing in 1821 , Sydney Smith proclaimed that " The country belongs to the Duke of Rutland , Lord Lonsdale , the Duke of Newcastle , and about twenty other holders of boroughs . They are our masters ! " T. H. B. Oldfield claimed in his Representative History of Great Britain and Ireland that , out of the 514 members representing England and Wales , about 370 were selected by nearly 180 patrons . A member who represented a pocket borough was expected to vote as his patron ordered , or else lose his seat at the next election . 
