THE Duke of Northumberland discovered more about where his family came from when he visited the birthplace of the first man to bear the title.
The first Duke was born in 1712 on what is now Northallerton's High Street. The listed building is now part of Barkers department store.
And the current holder of the title was the guest of honour when a plaque was unveiled to mark the connection.
The link was made by local historian Mick Riordan who died last year.
It was his wish that the site be included on a local history trail and the cause was taken up by his friend, former town mayor Jack Dobson.
The Duke said the occasion had been like a visit to his roots. He said: "The Percy family is hefted to Northumberland but my ancestors had strong links to North Yorkshire and served as jurymen here in the 14th Century." The first duke was the former Hugh Smithson who married Lady Elizabeth Percy and succeeded her father as Earl of Northumberland in 1750.
He was made a Duke in 1766 and retained a lifelong interest in his birthplace.
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