Chester and Cheshire (Constituencies) Act 1542

The Chester and Cheshire (Constituencies) Act 1542 (34 & 35 Hen. VIII c. 13) was an Act of the Parliament of England that formally enfranchised the County Palatine of Chester, granting it representation in the Parliament of England for the first time. Prior to this Act, Chester had been excluded from parliamentary representation due to its unique legal status as a County Palatine under the control of the Earl of Chester (a title usually held by the Prince of Wales).

The Act provided for two knights of the shire to be elected to represent the county of Cheshire and two citizens to be elected to represent the city of Chester. These Members of Parliament (MPs) were to be elected in the same manner as MPs from other counties and boroughs in England.

The Act was part of a broader trend during the reign of Henry VIII of incorporating previously semi-autonomous regions into the English legal and political system. Similar measures were undertaken in Wales and other parts of the realm. The motivation behind the Act was likely a combination of factors, including the desire to strengthen central control, raise revenue, and ensure that the laws passed by Parliament were applicable throughout the entire kingdom.

The Act remained in force until the general redistribution of parliamentary seats in the 19th century, significantly impacting the political landscape of Cheshire for over three centuries. It marked a significant step in the integration of Chester and Cheshire into the political mainstream of England.