Image ID: 21542

The Duke and Duchess of Portland in a coach

Courtesy of Mansfield Museum and Art Gallery

Market Place
Mansfield
England

The event may possibly be the 1927 Market Charter Anniversary (although the style of clothing, particularly the Duchess's hat, appears to indicate a slightly earlier date. Also the Duke and Duchess would perhaps have been using a motor vehicle by 1927 ?). (Please contact Picture-the-Past if you have any information about this event.) The first Duke of Portland attained Peerage of Great Britain in 1716. This was William Henry Bentinck, who was already Earl of Portland. The dukedom 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.

Date: 1927

Organisation Reference: NCCW000839

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