Raby Castle

Raby Castle (grid reference NZ12912177) is near Staindrop in County Durham, England, in 200 acres (810,000 m) of deer park.^[1] 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.^[2] 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.^[3] It is famed for both its size and its art, including works by old masters and portraits.^[4] It is a Grade I listed building and open to the public on a seasonal basis.

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raby Castle