From the Darlington & Stockton Times of November 1, 1873: The 53rd birthday of Eleanor, the Dowager Duchess of Northumberland, was “celebrated at Stanwick during the week with more than the usual eclat”, reported the D&S 150 years ago.

The 53rd birthday of Eleanor, the Dowager Duchess of Northumberland, was “celebrated at Stanwick during the week with more than the usual eclat”, reported the D&S 150 years ago.

Eleanor had married Lord Prudhoe, of Alnwick Castle, in 1842. He was 50, she was 28. He succeeded to the title, Duke of Northumberland, in 1847 but he died in 1865. As his successor needed the castle, Duchess Eleanor was moved to another of the Percy family’s estates, Stanwick Hall, between Richmond and Darlington.

Darlington and Stockton Times: Eleanor, Dowager Duchess of Norhtumberland, who lived at Stanwick Hall for 46 years

There she spent 46 years of widowhood, having a profound effect on the local community – her emblem can still be seen on many houses in the villages around Stanwick and her clock still hangs from a house in Aldbrough St John.

For her birthday in 1873, there was a tea for children and another for the aged and infirm, but the big event was a ball in the hall attended by the great and good from Richmond and Darlington.

Darlington and Stockton Times: Stanwick Hall was demolished in 1923, although the Orangery on the right survives

“At each end of the room was inscribed on the wall ‘Long live Her Grace the Dowager Duchess of Northumberland’, the letters of which were bold and prominent and most effectively arranged,” said the D&S.

The duchess’ private band provided the music and, said the D&S, there were 28 dances which “commenced at eight o’clock and concluded at five o'clock the following morning, allowing an interval of two houses for supper, which was held in the banqueting hall”.

The banquet was followed by a large number of toasts, which were “drunk with enthusiasm”.

Darlington and Stockton Times: Stanwick Hall in 1910, home of the Duchess Eleanor until her death, after which it was pulled down

“The entertainment was a source of the greatest enjoyment to all those present, and was in itself a tribute to the skill and patience of those engaged in its preparation and management,” concluded the D&S.

After Duchess Eleanor’s death, Stanwick Hall was demolished in 1923, although tantalising glimpses of its outbuildings and parkland can still be seen.

In other news, Mrs Merrall, of Burneston, near Bedale, had made a model of a prize cow in butter, the D&S Times reported.

She had sculpted an “excellent representation of Mr John Outhwaite’s famous prize animal, Vivandiere” which was nicknamed “the Beauty of Bainesse”, as Mr Outhwaite farmed at Bainesse, among the Roman remains on the edge of Catterick.

“The image of the animal is made from about three pounds of pure diary butter, and the loins, tail, head and other parts of the animal are executed with much precision,” said the paper. “The picture, for such it might be called, is enclosed in a glass case and is at present being exhibited in the window of Mr Thomas Thompson, chemist, Market Place, Richmond.”

It is to be hoped Mr Thompson had blinds on his chemist window so the beast of butter did not melt in the sun.