Newtown was a borough or fee farm held of the manor of Swainstone, formerly owned by the bishop of Winchester, and now in the hands of Sir Thomas Barrington. It received its first charter in 1393 and this was said to have been confirmed on 7 July 1598. Though not incorporated, the borough annually elected a mayor. In Tudor times it was completely decayed. Its enfranchisement in 1584, along with Newport and Yarmouth was due to the influence of the captain of the island, Sir George Carey, and the nomination of its Members was presumably at his disposal, though in 1584 both Members and in 1586 one Member, were local men. For the rest, the representatives were court officials and others, living in London. In 1597 and 1601 blank returns were sent to Carey and on the latter occasion he wrote to the borough:

Inasmuch as I was the means and procurer of the liberty for your corporation, you will, with all the convenience you may, assemble yourselves together and with your united consent send up to me (as heretofore you have done) your writ, with a blank, wherein I may insert the names of such persons as I shall think fittest to discharge that duty for your behoof, whom I shall take care shall likewise free you of whatsoever shall be due by you for the place.3