It returned two Members of Parliament (MPs) to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, elected by the bloc vote system.
The constituency was created by the Reform Act 1832 for the 1832 general election, and abolished by the Redistribution of Seats Act 1885 for the 1885 general election.
Adderley was appointed Vice-President of the Committee of the Privy Council for Education, requiring a by-election.
Adderley was appointed President of the Board of Trade, requiring a by-election.
Adderley was elevated to the peerage, becoming Lord Norton, and causing a by-election.