Raby Castle Durham

Paul 'scruffy' Martin takes a look around Raby Castle which is situated near Staindrop in County Durham and is one of the largest inhabited castles in England. It is the home and seat of John Vane, 11th Baron Barnard, who is the present lord of the castle. The castle is famed for both the size of the building and the artworks contained within it, including famous old masters and examples of portraiture. The castle was greatly fortified by John Neville, 3rd Baron Neville de Raby in approximately 1360. Cecily Neville, who was the mother of the Kings Edward IV of England and Richard III of England was born here. The Nevilles lost the castle after they led the failed Rising of the North in favour of Mary, Queen of Scots, in 1569. Sir Henry Vane the Elder purchased the castle in 1626