Middleham Castle, now in the county of North Yorkshire, was build during the 12th century and later came into the hands of the Neville family, the most famous member of which was Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick - the "Kingmaker". Under his ownership, improvements to the castle caused it to become known as "the Windsor of the North". Following the death of Richard, Duke of York, his younger sons, George, Duke of Clarence and Richard, Duke of Gloucester, came into Warwick's care, and both resided temporarily at Middleham with Warwick's own family. It was also at Middleham that King Edward IV of England was imprisoned for a short time, having been deposed by Warwick in 1470. Following Warwick's death and Edward's restoration to the throne, Richard married Anne Neville, Warwick's younger daughter, and it was at Middleham that they made their main home, carrying out further improvements and extensions to the castle (although it has recently been suggested that Richard actually spent little time here). It was also at Middleham that their son, Edward, was born and died.
The castle was destroyed in 1646, during the English Civil War, and the ruins are now in the care of English Heritage.
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Last updated: 10-17-2005 13:47:07
