STELLA, a township in the parish of RYTON, western division of CHESTER ward, county palatine of DURHAM, 7 miles (w. by N.) from Gateshead, containing 421 inhabitants. There is a Roman Catholic chapel at Stella hall. The navigable river Tyne runs past the village, where is a wharf belonging to the London Lead Company, and a coal-staith. A considerable English army was defeated here, August 28th, 1640, by the Scots, who passed the Tyne under cover of several pieces of cannon, which they had planted in Newburn church.