SEATON-DELAVAL, a township in the parish of
EARSDON, eastern division of CASTLE ward, county of
NORTHUMBERLAND, 6 miles (N. by W.) from North
Shields, containing 240 inhabitants. Here are the ruins
of one of the most magnificent mansions in the north
of England; it was erected from a design by Sir John
Vanburgh, in 1707, by Admiral Delaval, and was destroyed
by fire on January 3rd,. 1822. Near it is the
site of the ancient castle of Seaton-Delaval, of which
little remains, except the chapel, which is a fine specimen
of Norman architecture, containing monuments of
a Knight Templar and his lady, and ornamented with
numerous escutcheons, banners, and pieces of ancient
armour: divine service is still performed in it every
Sunday. At a short distance from the chapel is a handsome
mausoleum, erected by the late Lord Delaval, in
memory of his son, the interior of which is fitted up
as a chapel, having arched catacombs underneath for
the reception of the dead.