Personality Politics.

The article focuses on the contentious 1593 Nottinghamshire election for Members of Parliament during Queen Elizabeth I's reign, highlighting the violent rivalry between Gilbert Talbot, 7th Earl of Shrewsbury, and Sir Thomas Stanhope. Shrewsbury sought to expand his influence into Nottinghamshire amid a vacant Lord Lieutenant position, while Stanhope, a forceful Protestant, opposed him fiercely, leading to armed confrontations and election manipulation. Despite Shrewsbury's candidates winning amid disorder, neither he secured the Lord Lieutenancy, and the office remained vacant until 1626. The conflict persisted beyond the election, involving legal battles and violence, with royal intervention failing to restore peace.