The Neville Family: A Northern Powerhouse…

Much of the castle you see today was built in the 14th century by the powerful Neville family.

The name ‘Raby’ is thought to date from the early 11th century when the Dane, King Canute sat on the English throne.

“Ra” probably comes from the Old English word for boundary, and “Bi” settlement. It is not clear what kind of dwelling stood here before 1378 when the Bishop of Durham granted John, 3rd Baron de Neville – and Lord of Raby, a license to fortify the building. It was then that Raby Castle was completed much in the form we know today.

From their powerhouse at Raby, the Nevilles were among the most powerful families in the country, with vast lands, multiple castles and holdings and direct links to the Crown. This all came to an end in 1569 when Charles Neville took part in The Rising of the North – an attempt to replace Queen Elizabeth I with her cousin, Mary Queen of Scots. Charles was forced to flee into exile and the extensive Neville lands were seized by the Crown.

Ruin and Resurgence…

A bitter family feud in the 18th century almost ended the story of RABY, but with determination and dedication, a new chapter opened in the castle’s history.

Ruin Christopher Vane, 1st Baron Barnard was said to be a man who liked quiet and order. His wife Elizabeth, eldest daughter of the Earl of Clare was reputed to have a fiery temper. The couple were furious when, in 1714 their eldest son Gilbert declared his wish to marry Mary Randyll, daughter of an MP and not a titled aristocrat.

They set about destroying Gilbert’s inheritance at Raby Castle. Two hundred workmen were employed to strip the castle of anything of value in a matter of days; swathes of woodland were cut down and many deer were slaughtered.

Gilbert and Mary took legal action. In Vane vs Barnard, Christopher and Elizabeth were ordered to cease the destruction and make repair from their own finances.

Resurgence

Repairs and refurbishment continued after Gilbert inherited the castle in 1723. Landscaping and replanting took place in the park and his son and grandson continued work on the castle after a fire destroyed part of the south range. Notable architects and craftsmen were employed to transform the castle into a luxurious country house and garden set in picturesque parkland.

Advancing from Austerity…

War, political and social changes meant that life changed dramatically during the 20th century, but as a new chapter opens, an exciting future awaits the next generation at Raby Castle…

When the 4th Duke died without an heir in 1891, Raby passed to Henry De Vere Vane, who became 9th Baron Barnard. Life changed completely when Henry’s eldest son died during the first world war and in 1918 Raby passed to his second son Christopher. Two world wars left Raby as scarred as the rest of Britain. Christopher, and later his son, the 11th Baron Barnard continued to run the estate in a changing Britain, responding to new technologies, agricultural, social and political change.

In 2016, Harry 12th Lord Barnard inherited RABY and along with Kate, Lady Barnard, immediately set about a process of transformation to enable the castle and wider estate to be maintained for future generations.