The Nevilles are distinguished personages in the pages of the historians
of the North. In Durham they have left a lasting memorial of their
magnificence in Raby Castle, the principal founder of which was John de
Neville, Earl of Westmoreland; who, in 1379, obtained a license to
castellate his manor of Raby; though a part of the structure appears to
have been of more ancient date. Leland speaks of it in his time as "the
largest castle of lodgings in all the north country." It remains to this
day the most perfect castellated mansion, or, more strictly, castle, in
the kingdom, and its "_hall_" eclipses even the chivalrous
splendour of Windsor: here 700 knights, who held of the Nevilles, are
said to have been entertained at one time. The whole establishment is
maintained with much of the hospitable glories of the olden time by the
present distinguished possessor of Raby, the Marquess of Cleveland.

[6] See also pages 113 and 329 of the present volume.

[7] Hist. Scot. By Sir W. Scott, Bt., vol. i, p. 197.

[8] Ibid. p. 199.

[9] Faedera, tom. v. p. 542.

[10] Messrs Britton and Brayley--Beauties of England and Wales,
vol. v. p. 199.


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WINTER EXHIBITION OF PICTURES, AT THE SUFFOLK-STREET GALLERY.