Danby Castle is thought to have been constructed by William Latimer between 1300 and 1302. It replaced a previous construction which had been destroyed by fire. The castles remains incorporate the arms of several notable families, those of: Brus of Skelton, Neville, Latimer and Roos, all of whom had land holdings in the area. Today the remains of the castle are woven into a farmhouse and related farm buildings. It is not open to the public but has been subject to archaeological studies.

The Castle at Danby

Danby replaced an earlier fortification at Castleton which is believed to have been destroyed by fire.the building is rectangular in plan, 117 ft. from north to south and 84 ft. from east to west. At the angles stood four towers placed diagonally, and in the centre was an open courtyard 49 ft. 3 in. by 22 ft. 7 in. the building is rectangular in plan, 117 ft. from north to south and 84 ft. from east to west. At the angles stood four towers placed diagonally, and in the centre was an open courtyard 49 ft. 3 in. by 22 ft. 7 in.

As a location it was of some value and was clearly noted as being high quality accomodation: this is illustrated by Edward II having stayed at Danby in 1323, and Lady Elizabeth Latimer is known to have been resident in her widowhood in the 1380’s.

Design and accomodation

Danby Castle was a quadragular keep with four towers set diagnally, as shown in the plan below.

The castle is a a regtangualr structure not dissimilar, though smaller, than the Castle constructed at Bolton, Wensleydale. From north to south it extends some 117 feet. From east to west, it measured 84 feet. Each corner had a tower attached diagnally. There is no evidence of Danby Castle having had any earthworks which is perhaps a peculiarity of the site. Internally the castles courtyard is estimated to have measured roughly 49 feet by 22 feet.

The eastern side of the castle contained the Great Hall with estimated dimensions of 60 feet by 30 feet. The castles kitchen was within the northern section of the building. The southern section of the castle contained three apartments and remains suggest that a garderobe may have been in place on this wall. A larger apartment, known as the court room, was located in the first floor of the western range. A further apartment, described by Victorian County History as being of ‘erratic form’ is adjacent to the kitchen.

The towers do not remain in their entirity but the south eastern tower remains enough for site studies to ilustrate that it contained three storeys. It is believed that this tower housed a chapel.

Danby Castle and Manor – landholders

Danby was held by Peter de Brus until his death in 1272. His estate was shared between his daughters, whose marriages were of note being into the Fauconberg, de Thweng, Roos and de Belleve families. Danby and Lealholm passed to Peter’s daughter Lucy, who was married to Marmaduke de Thweng of Kilton Castle.

In 1285 the manor was placed in the hands of William Latimer whose son, also called William, had married Lucy heiress to Danby. In 1304 Nicholas de Meynell of Whorlton abducted Lucy. This resulted in William Latimer jnr obtaining a divorce from Lucy. The Manor of Danby was later granted to William for life, with provisions made for the fuure holding of the Manor. .

William snr fought at the battles of Bannockburn and Boroughbridge before dying in 1326 or 1227. His son, William, then inherited Danby. However, William died in 1335 whilst his heir, a third William, was a minor. William 4th Lord Latimer was clearly an important young man as he was placed into the care of Queen Philippa for at least a part of his minority. By 1378–9 the 4th Lord Latimer had secured grants of rights to Danby. However he died in 1381, leaving as his heir a daughter, Elizabeth, who was married to John Lord Nevill of Raby. After Lord Nevill’s death Elizabeth remarried, to Robert Lord Willoughby de Eresby.

Upon Elizabeth’s death in 1395, and Lord Willoughby’s in 1396 Danby Castle and Manor passed to her son from her marriage to Lord Nevill. This son, John Nevill, became Lord Latimer. John Lord Latimer died in 1430. Danby was held by his wife, Maud, in Dower until her passing in 1446. The Latimer title passed to George son of Ralph Earl of Westmorland who was summoned to Parliament as Lord Latimer as early as 1432.

George Nevill, Lord Latimer, lived until 1469. In his later years he suffered ill health and was described as being an ‘idiot’. As a result of his condition, guardianship of his estates was granted to his brother, Richard Neville, 16th Earl of Warwick. Upon George’s death the Latimer title and estates were inherited by his grandson, Robert, who was a minor at the time. Full control of Danby and other Latimer holdings was not fully established by Robert until 1500 when settlements himself and Lord Wiloughby.

Danby Castle Links

Historic England – official listing for Danby Castle.

British History Online – Parish and Castle of Danby.

Heritage Gateway – sources and references.

Archi UK – Archaeological data on Danby Castle.

ecastles – description and history of Danby Castle.

Yorkshire Guides – Danby Castle and the Neville family.

Discover Yorkshire Coast – Danby Castle Walk.