Wilton was a pocket borough of the Earl of Pembroke. However, it required care and attention. In September 1783 Lord Pembroke wrote that it stood upon a ‘very ticklish and slender’ foundation,1 but the creation of a batch of new burgesses next month confirmed the Herbert supremacy. In the earlier part of the century most of the burgesses were local men in modest positions (several could not sign their names in the corporation’s minute books). It became Herbert practice to pack the corporation with relatives and friends, who were more reliable. Among the burgesses created in October 1783 were Pembroke’s cousin and natural son, and a number of neighbouring country gentlemen, including Charles Penruddocke, William Pierce Ashe A’Court, and Henry and James Dawkins.