Middleham Castle
Set in the lovely Wensleydale countryside, the castle was built in the 12th century, though the earthworks of an earlier motte and bailey castle survive on high ground behind it.
The extensions and improvements to the Castle eventually provided accommodation that was palatial for its time, with every comfort and convenience required by a Lordly household. Middleham became a luxurious home, with well-lit chambers, a ceremonial great hall and extensive latrine blocks within its walls, together with carefully planned gardens, complete with ponds and fountains, outside, overlooked by private apartments on the south side.
In the mid 15th century Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, owned the Castle. King Edward IV was the earl's cousin and, in accordance with the fashion at that time, the king's younger brother, Richard, joined the household along with the sons of other lordly families, to complete his education.
The Earl of Warwick was killed at the Battle of Barnett in April 1471. In the following July, Richard Plantagenet, now Duke of Gloucester was granted the Lordship of Middleham, along with Sheriff Hutton and Penrith. In 1472 Richard married Anne Neville, one of the Earl of Warwick's daughters, and Middleham was used as their main home, their son Edward being born there in 1474. Richard was now the dominant power in the North of England, and Middleham was the centre of a number of great households, the homes of Richard's local supporters.
Richard became king in 1483 and necessarily spent less time at Middleham, but work continued on improvements to the Castle and its surroundings - work which was unfortunately halted when news of Richard's death at Bosworth in 1485 was received. The Castle remained in Royal ownership and was used as an administration centre, but the Tudor royal family did not visit it.
Since 1984 the Castle has been in the care of English Heritage, attracting thousands of visitors yearly, intrigued by its past associations and the times when the most important people in England stayed within its walls.
Lynda Telford
