• Medieval-Castle.com
• Architecture/Design
  • Castle Architecture, Castle Design
  • Concentric Castles
  • Castle Plans, Castle Towers
  • Medieval Castle Keeps
  • Medieval Castle Donjons
  • Medieval Castle Hall
  • Medieval Castle Chapels
  • Medieval Castle Dungeons
  • Medieval Castle Kitchens & Meals
  • Medieval Sleeping Quarters
  • Medieval Castles & Water
  • Medieval Castle Toilets
• Medieval Castle Life
  • Medieval Castle Life: Children
  • Drink In Medieval Times
  • Medieval Castles & Food
  • Medieval Famines
  • Game Animals & Medieval Life
  • Medieval Royal Forest
  • Medieval Tournaments
  • Troubadours & Medieval Life
  • Black Death In Medieval Times
  • Medieval Music
  • Medieval Literature
  • Medieval Poetry
• Medieval Castle History
  • Medieval Castle History
  • Ancient Castles
  • Early English Castles
  • Brochs
• Castle Attack/Defence
  • Castle Defence & Attack
  • Medieval Weapons & Siege Engines
  • Trebuchet & Longbow
  • Escalades
  • Portcullis
• Medieval Crusades
• Fantasy Castles
• Dracula's Castles
  • Dracula Castle Introduction
  • Dracula's Early Life
  • Bran Castle & Tirgoviste
  • Castle Poenari
  • The Taking of Brasov
  • War With the Ottaman Turks
  • Vlad Dracula's Legacy
• Education
• Haunted Castles
  • Haunted Castles
  • English Haunted Castles
  • Irish Haunted Castles
  • Scottish Haunted Castles
  • Welsh Haunted Castles
• Castle Search
• Castles Today
• Medieval Glossary
• Medieval Castle Blog
• Contact Us
• Site Index

Raby Castle - County Durham

The meaning of the name Raby which is of Viking-Danish origin is `settlement on the boundary mark'

This fabulous castle must be one of the best medieval castles in the whole of northern England.  In early times associated with Cnut, (Canute) the castle eventually became the property of the powerful Nevilles - a Norman family who were possibly the most important barons in the Bishopric of Durham from the twelfth century onwards. The infamous 'Rising of the North' plot was formulated by the Nevilles at Raby in 1569, in cohorts with the equally powerful Percy family of Northumberland.

This was a futile attempt to get rid of Elizabeth the first and replace her with her Catholic cousin Mary Queen of Scots.  People joined the rising from all parts of the North-East of England because at that time so many of the northern peoples were of the Catholic faith.  It is said that at first Charles Neville, sixth Earl of Westmorland was unsure as to whether to go ahead with the plan but then his wife apparently stormed into the Barons hall and called them cowards who would not fight for their faith and so inflamed and spurred on by her harsh words, they continued on their foolish path. 

After the rising failed, the Nevilles had Raby Castle as well as a the properties and land confiscated by the Crown. To this day it is said that sometimes the ghostly spectre of Charles Neville appears in the Barons Hall where he plotted the rebellion in the year 1569.

By the year 1626 Raby had became the family seat of the Vanes, Earls of Darlington and Dukes of Cleveland.  In fact, the present owner, Lord Barnard is a member of this same family.The second ghost which could be attributed to Raby Castle was apparently a member of this same Vane family. 

Sir Henry Vane was apparently imprisoned by the Stuarts and condemned to be executed.  It is said that at the precise moment when his head was being chopped off, he was still trying to give last speech!  The headless ghost of Sir Henry Vane is apparently frequently seen to this day in the library at Raby Castle with his head on the desk in front of him trying to give the last speech.

Finally, there is even a ghost from the Barnard family known as the 'Old Hell Cat' this was apparently a lady from that particular family was known for her fiery temper and it is said that her ghost is still frequently seen at Raby Castle busy knitting with white hot needles!