Image ID: 21840

The Duke of Portland laying the foundation stone at St Michael's Church, Sutton in Ashfield

Outram Street
Sutton in Ashfield
England

The Duke and others present are wearing masonic regalia, with aprons, gloves, collars and banners of the orders of the Free Masons. The Duke seen here was William Henry Bentinck, who was previously the Earl of Portland. The dukedom originally came into the possession of the Cavendish-Bentinck family by marriage. The Cavendish-Bentinck family of Welbeck Abbey, has quite an extensive history. The 3rd Duke of Portland, William Henry Cavendish Bentinck, 3rd Duke of Portland, Marquess of Titchfield, Earl of Portland, Viscount Woodstock, Baron of Cirencester. (April 14, 1738 - October 30, 1809) was the most famous, as statesman and Prime Minister. The 5th Duke was an eccentric recluse, who shunned visitors. He had fifteen miles of tunnels dug under the house which housed libraries; a billiard room large enough for twelve full size tables and an enormous subterranean ballroom large enough to take two thousand dancers - all of which remained unused. When in London, the Duke always travelled in a closed carriage; maintained a shuttered box at the Opera and kept the curtains permanently drawn at the windows of his substantial town house in Cavendish Square. The Duke seen here is the 6th Duke of Portland: William John Arthur Charles James Cavendish-Bentinck (1857-1943), who was Duke between 1879-1943. The Dukedom of Portland became extinct on the 9th Duke's death, though the 9th Duke's distant cousin succeeded him as Earl of Portland.

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Keywordsdukearistocracyritualceremonyfreemasonsmasoniccostumechurchfoundationstonecrowdsscaffoldconstruction

Sutton in Ashfield Library