Raby Castle (grid reference NZ12912177) is near Staindrop in County Durham, England. The castle sits in a 200 acres (810,000 m2) deer park. The castle was built by John Neville, 3rd Baron Neville de Raby in approximately 1367 to 1390. Cecily Neville, who was the mother of the Kings Edward IV and Richard III was born here. After Charles Neville, 6th Earl of Westmorland, led the failed Rising of the North in favour of Mary, Queen of Scots, in 1569 Raby Castle was taken into royal custody.
Sir Henry Vane the Elder purchased the castle in 1626 and neighbouring Barnard Castle from the Crown, and as the Earls of Darlington and Dukes of Cleveland, a Gothic-style entrance hall and octagon-shaped drawing room were added. From 1833 to 1891 they were the Dukes of Cleveland, and they retain the title of Lord Barnard. Extensive alterations were carried out in the 17th and 18th centuries. It is the home and seat of John Vane, 11th Baron Barnard, who is the present lord of the castle. The castle is famed for both the size and the artworks contained within it, including works by old masters and examples of portraiture. Raby Castle is a Grade I listed building and open to the public on a seasonal basis.
Famous quotes containing the word castle:
“If, in looking at the lives of princes, courtiers, men of rank and fashion, we must perforce depict them as idle, profligate, and criminal, we must make allowances for the rich mens failings, and recollect that we, too, were very likely indolent and voluptuous, had we no motive for work, a mortals natural taste for pleasure, and the daily temptation of a large income. What could a great peer, with a great castle and park, and a great fortune, do but be splendid and idle?”
—William Makepeace Thackeray (18111863)