In Tudor times the seat was under the influence of the Duchy of Lancaster and around the start of the 18th century it was a pocket borough of the Morgan family of Tredegar, who were influential in the Newport area; but soon afterwards the Dukes of Beaufort (a Scudamore family branch) gained control. After the Duke's candidate had won the election of 1715 decisively, this patronage was so clear contests ceased until 1820 – their candidates (many of them members of the family) were returned unopposed.
In the context of Tudor times, the seat was heavily influenced by the Duchy of Lancaster. Later, it became a key stronghold for the Morgan family of Tredegar in the Newport area. The Dukes of Beaufort eventually took control and their candidate's victory in the 1715 election led to a significant shift in the local politics, resulting in uncontested elections until 1820.