Raby Castle is near
Staindrop in County Durham, England, in of deer park. It was built by
John Neville, 3rd Baron Neville de Raby, between approximately 1367 and 1390.
Cecily Neville, 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 Raby Castle in 1626 and neighbouring
Barnard Castle from the Crown, and the Earls of Darlington and Dukes of Cleveland added a Gothic-style entrance hall and octagonal drawing room. 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. It is famed for both its size and its art, including works by old masters and portraits. It is a Grade I
listed building and open to the public on a seasonal basis.