Raby castle

                                                       

THIS IS NOT A FULLY DATED TIMELINE, JUST KEY POINTS IN THE HISTORY OF RABY CASTLE.

The nevilles family built Raby Castle in the 14^th century.

The family were one of the most powerful families in England while they owned Raby Castle.

It’s been said that Charles Neville wasn’t sure if they should continue with the plot of the ‘rising of the north’. The story behind this is that Charles wife came into the room and supposed to have shouted that the men wouldn’t fight for what they thought was right and called them all cowards for not thinking of their faiths. The nevilles had the ownership of Raby until 1569. Raby castle was forfeited to crown due to the failed rising of the north, following nevills support. 

On five different occasions Raby Castle was attacked during the Civil War by Royal forces.

Sir Henry Vane the Elder, the Treasurer to Charles the 1^st bought Raby Castle in 1626. The descendents of the Vanes still live at the castle to this day.

Sir Henry Vane only bought raby castle for the value of the estate. He didn’t really think much of Raby at all. He used to call it ‘a mere hullock of stone’.

He decided to make Raby his home and he started repairing the castle.

Sir Henry the Elder was executed in 1649.

Sir Henry Vane the younger was sentenced to death by Charles the 2^nd with the charge of treason (disloyalty and betrayal) in 1662.

In 1698 Sir Christopher Vane was forced by courts to pay for repair work on Raby castle because in a fit of rage, he caused a lot of damage and took many things including lead, doors, iron and much more because his son Gilbert married a woman that his father didn’t approve of. In 1754 the Earl of Darlington made the most amazing changes to the south and west parts of the castle.

In the end of the 18^th century the moat was drained.

In 1833 William Henry the 3^rd Earl was made the Duke of Cleveland for his political services.

Lord Barnard is the descendent of the nevilles family. Lord Barnard to this day lives at raby castle. He once served in the R.A.F.I as a flying officer from 1942 till 1946. He was also a lord lieutenant in 1970 till 1988.

In the year of 1952 lord Barnard married the daughter of the 6^th marquess of Exter, Lady Davina Cecil. Together they have raised five children together.