Lot Essay
The arms are those of Liddell, as borne by Sir Thomas Henry Liddell, born on 1775, who succeeded to his father's baronetcy in 1791. He married in 1796 Maria Susannah, daughter of John Simpson and was created a baron in 1821, as one of the coronation peerages of George IV. Countess Cowper wrote of these creations, "they promise us a sad rum set of Peers. Only two men are good, Ld. Ravensworth and Ld. Delamere-Sir T. Liddell and Tom Cholmondeley." He had retired from Parliament in 1807, after which he had "devoted himself to the erection of his noble seat and the developement of the coal mines on his estate. In furtherance of his views on the latter subject, he entered into partnership with several other noblemen and gentlemen, and superintended a most extensive and lucrative business in the coal trade, which was carried on by them for many years under the local name of 'the Grand Allies'".
In 1827 he entertained the Duke of Wellington and Sir Walter Scott at Ravensworth Castle during their political progress through the north of England, while in 1838 he feasted "upwards of 500 distinguished individuals" after the opening of the Durham Junction Railway. When about aged 77 he was described as "a fine looking old gentleman, tall and stout, and dressed in an old-fashioned style with a necktie wound many times around his throat." He died in 1855. [Complete Peerage]
In 1827 he entertained the Duke of Wellington and Sir Walter Scott at Ravensworth Castle during their political progress through the north of England, while in 1838 he feasted "upwards of 500 distinguished individuals" after the opening of the Durham Junction Railway. When about aged 77 he was described as "a fine looking old gentleman, tall and stout, and dressed in an old-fashioned style with a necktie wound many times around his throat." He died in 1855. [Complete Peerage]