Raby Castle

History

The history of Raby Castle dates back to the early 11th century when the Manor of Raby was gifted from the township of Staindrop to the Prior of Durham by King Knut, who ruled England from 1016 to 1035.

John Neville, 3rd Baron Neville de Raby, built Raby Castle between 1367 and 1390. Bishop Thomas Hatfield of Durham granted him a licence to fortify it in 1378. The Nevilles resided there until 1569 when the castle and lands were forfeited to the crown following the failed Rising of the North rebellion. More than half a century later, Sir Henry Vane the Elder purchased Raby Castle from the crown in 1626. He served as a Member of Parliament and a prominent member of Charles I's court. His family still owns Raby Castle to the present day. Specifically, the 11th Lord Barnard exists as the current owner.

The Nevilles rose high at Raby. In 1397, Richard II made Ralph Neville the first Earl of Westmorland, and he backed Henry Bolingbroke when Bolingbroke took the throne as Henry IV in 1399. Ralph's youngest daughter, Cecily Neville, the mother of Edward IV and Richard III, was born at Raby in 1415, and his grandson was Richard Neville, Warwick the Kingmaker. In 1569, Charles Neville, the 6th Earl of Westmorland, led the failed Rising of the North. More than 800 rebels were executed, Neville fled into exile, and his lands were forfeited in 1571.

Over the centuries, Raby Castle enjoyed a relatively peaceful existence. It is really a defended home rather than a fortress. The only notable exception occurred in 1648 during the English Civil War when Royalists besieged the structure. Held by Sir George Vane, who supported Parliamentarian forces, the castle suffered minimal damage during the conflict.

The towers and curtain wall of Raby Castle.

Throughout the majority of centuries, the castle underwent minor repairs and upkeep. However, the first major alterations to the medieval structure did not come until the early 18th century, when the 1st Lord Barnard partially dismantled the castle after being angered by his son's marriage. Henry, son of the 2nd Lord of Barnard, later began restoration on the south and west ranges with subsequent renovations by his son, who constructed a carriageway through the entrance hall, a new rounded tower, landscaped gardens, and stables.

The Vanes became Earls of Darlington and then Dukes of Cleveland, a title they held from 1833 to 1891. In the 1840s, the architect William Burn made further changes, including new roofs and a Jacobean-style drawing room. In 1849, William, Prince of Orange, was a guest at the castle when he succeeded to the Dutch throne. After the dukedom ended in 1891, the Vanes returned to the title of Baron Barnard, and in 1964, the 11th Baron began a major restoration. The castle later stood in for a royal palace in the 1998 film Elizabeth, and it appeared in the series Billions.

Castle Highlights

The carriageway through the entrance hall.

Raby Castle represents an excellent example of 14th-century castle architecture with its foreboding towers and tall crenelated walls along the rolling countryside of County Durham in Northern England. Within Raby Castle, the Entrance Hall is adorned with arched ceilings, soaring columns, and a vast collection of arms and armor on display. Moreover, it includes a stagecoach or carriage, as they would enable Lord Barnard to travel outside the estate. Additional carriages are displayed in the Coach Yard.

Little remains of the original medieval hall, which once held seven hundred knights, all feudal retainers of the Nevilles, and where the Rising of the North was plotted in 1569. The current Barons' Hall is just as significant and is furnished with Queen Anne gaming tables, Jacobean cupboards, and Gothic tables. Portraits of family members and their connections exist along the walls.

Deer in the castle park.

When visiting the castle grounds, the best views may be experienced by walking around the large ponds near the fortress's southwest. However, majestic sights may be attained from any angle. Still present atop the castle walls, iron statues of soldiers are cleverly placed to deter potential attackers by appearing as knights defending the structure. Also, a deer park exists on the castle grounds. The deer are often inattentive unless people get too close to them.

The Lord of Barnard currently occupies Raby Castle. Consequently, the castle's interior is only open to the public on certain days between Easter and September. As a result, verifying a guided tour's availability is strongly recommended before visiting. In contrast, the castle grounds may be seen at your leisure. Visiting Raby Castle can require nearly a full day, especially if you thoroughly explore the grounds. If you have extra time, both Durham Castle and Durham Cathedral are nearby.

Raby Castle is also haunted.