In the Beginning

In the Beginning. A Manor House has probably existed at Snape since the mid-thirteenth century at the time of Ralph FitzRanulph, Lord of Middleham. On the death of his widow the manor passed through their daughter Mary to her husband Robert Neville, son of Robert Neville of Raby, and thus began the long association of Snape with the Neville family.

Snape means ‘boggy pasture’. The foundations of Snape Hall rested on oak piles sunk in the ground in triple rows.

The original building was probably demolished in the 1420s and replaced by a castellated residence, the present castle, when Ralph, fourth Lord Neville of Raby and Earl of Westmorland, settled Snape and Well on his fifth son, George Neville, Lord Latimer of Snape and Danby.