The Estates - History

The Estates

Timeline

1153 – Cistercian Priory founded at Wykeham
14th Century – Danby Castle built
1534 to 1543 – Catherine Parr lives at Danby Castle prior to her marriage to Henry VIII
1656 – Sir John Dawnay purchases Danby Estate
1680 – Sir John Dawnay becomes 1st Viscount Downe (second creation)
1897 – Title Baron Dawnay of Danby created
1909 – Wykeham Abbey becomes Family seat
1914 to 1919 – Wykeham Abbey used as a war hospital
1976 – Danby Lodge (former shooting lodge) becomes NYMNPA Moors Centre
2002 – Richard Henry Dawnay becomes 12th Viscount Downe

8th Viscount,
Hugh Richard

Played a cricket international against a touring Aboriginal team – before ashes were even dreamed of.
President of the MCC
Head of Queen Victoria’s bodyguards, and helped introduce the spiked helmet to Britain
Became 1st Baron of Danby in 1897 and subsequently sat in the House of Lords

Wykeham Abbey

Wykeham Abbey is built on the site of a Cistercian Priory founded in 1153. The nuns were not the most observant; it is said that two once started on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, but only got to London where they remained in a less godly profession.
It did not become the permanent home of the Dawnay family until 1910 when Beningbrough Hall was sold and Wykeham became the centre of the Yorkshire Estates.
During the first world war the Abbey was used as a Red Cross military hospital hopefully providing a peaceful contrast to the horrors of Flander's fields. In the four and a half years it was open 1520 NCO’s and men convalesced there.

From 1153 to today

Hugh Richard Dawnay The current owner, the 12th Viscount Downe’s family originally came from Aunay in Normandy, France. They eventually settled in North Yorkshire. The Viscountancy is a second creation Irish Peerage which came in 1680 for John Dawnay.

The family obtained the title “Baron of Danby” in 1899 when the 8th Viscount was created the 1st Baron. Cowick near Snaith (south of York) became the principle family seat until 1909 when the much enlarged Wykeham Abbey became the family home.

The 8th & 9th Viscounts with their wives

Danby was purchased in 1656 from the Earl Danvers, but previously had formed part of the Latimer (subsequently Neville) holdings. Sir William Neville was married to Catherine Parr (the last surviving wife of King Henry VIII).

The moors at Danby are a common, the current Viscount Downe being the Lord of Manor. The common rights are overseen by one of the few remaining Court Leets who hold their annual Court in October of each year at the Court Room, Danby Castle. Regular Jury meetings also take place in the Jury room, Danby Castle.