sir thomas danby (1530–1590) built farnley hall in 1586. there is an in inscription on the front which reads “built in the year of our lord 1586 and in the reign of the queen 28 by sir thomas danby knight”. he had married lady mary nevill, the daughter of ralph neville, 4th earl of westmorland and in 1576 became the high sheriff of yorkshire. his son thomas predeceased him so his grandson christopher danby inherited his property.