Middleham Castle, Yorkshire

The keep at Middleham was the first stone building to be built here at the end of the 12th Century. The keep is larger than at many other castles and contained the great hall, great chamber, the privy chamber, chapel and two small chambers within the turrets. These were all above the high basement, which contained the kitchens and large storage area. The basement rooms were normally provided in the courtyard of a castle but at Middleham they are incorporated into the keep itself. 

In 1270, Middleham Castle passed through marriage to Robert de Nevill through his wife Mary, who was the daughter and heiress of Ralph FitzRanulph of Middleham. Their son Ralph became the first Lord Nevill of Raby and inherited Middleham Castle. He was follow by his son Ralph, who with his son John, took part in the Battle of Neville’s Cross in 1346. John Neville later became Chief Lieutenant to John of Gaunt, who was the second son of Edward III. He vastly increased his wealth through various appointments and two marriages, this allowed him to increase the castle at Middleham, which was expanded and the curtain wall created.

Ralph succeeded his father John as Lord Nevill and became the 1st Earl of Westmorland. He married Joan Beaufort, the daughter of John of Gaunt in 1397. This also added to his wealth, as the marriage brought with it more estates. In 1399, he supported Henry of Lancaster’s bid for the throne, a gamble which paid off when he became Henry IV. Ralph Neville became the wealthiest and most influential Lord of the north. He obtained a license from the king to hold a weekly market at Middleham, as well as an annual fair. Ralph had nine children by his first wife and fourteen by his second, all of whom he needed to make suitable provision for, expensive no matter how wealthy you were. He also rebuilt some of the chambers and lodgings at Middleham castle, these he linked to the keep by wooden bridges, which were probably under roof. This meant that you could leave your chamber and instead of having to go down stairs and across the courtyard like everyone else, you could cross the bridge and not get your feet wet, as well as staying literally above the rest. Before his death he arranged for his heir, Richard, to marry Alice Montacute, the heiress of Thomas, Earl of Salisbury. 

Richard Nevill was one of the principal supporters of his brother-in-law, Richard, Duke of York and he played a leading role in the opening battles of the Wars of the Roses, with Middleham Castle as his base and recruiting center. He was captured at the Battle of Wakefield fighting for the Yorkist cause and was beheaded a few days later in 1460. Thus ended five generations of luck, good decisions and rise of power. Even this may have not been the end for this family, if it were not for his son.

Richard’s son, also a Richard Nevill, became the Earl of Warwick for his support of his nephew Edward IV in obtaining the crown, this earned him the nickname the Kingmaker. After the Battle of Towton, Edward IV stayed at Middleham Castle. The King's younger brother Richard, later Richard III, was brought to the castle to be educated under Lord Nevill. Warwick was not happy with his vast wealth though, he wanted more and decided to rise up against the King. He even managed to take him prisoner and Edward IV was brought to Middleham Castle. Warwick was having trouble controlling England with the King a prisoner, and eventually released him and fled the country, only to return with an army and place Henry VI back on the throne. He was defeated by Edward IV’s army at the battle of Barnet and killed. 

The castle then passed through the marriage of Warwick’s daughter Anne, to Richard of Gloucester, later Richard III. The couple chose to live primarily at Middleham Castle. Richard and Anne’s only child Edward, was born at Middleham Castle, where he also died in 1484 at the age of 10. His wife, now Queen Anne died shortly after. Richard III was killed at the Battle of Bosworth in 1485 and Henry VII became King by right of conquest.

After the death of Richard III, Middleham Castle was seized by Henry VII and remained in royal ownership until 1604, when King James I granted it to Sir Henry Linley.