Warwick Castle

Warwick Castle lies in the town of Warwick in the county of Warwickshire in central England and overlooks the River Avon.

History

Legend has it that the first fortifications of significance at Warwick castle were erected by Ethelfleda, daughter of king Alfred the Great, in the year 914. These almost certainly replaced even older wooden fortifications, which had proven ineffective against marauding Danes who had sacked the town in the reign of her father. They were part of a network of fortifications built to protect the Kingdom of Mercia.

Related Topics:
Ethelfleda - Alfred the Great - Danes - Mercia

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The remains of these ancient fortifications can still be seen on top of a large mound at the southern end of the castle's courtyard, which is known as Ethelfleda's mound, although most of these remains date from the Norman period.

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After the Norman conquest of England in the 11th century William the Conqueror appointed Henry de Newburgh as Earl of Warwick, and he proceeded to enlarge the mound and created a Norman motte-and-bailey castle.

Related Topics:
Norman conquest - 11th century - William the Conqueror - Motte-and-bailey

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In the year 1264 the castle was sacked by the forces of Simon de Montfort and he imprisoned the then Earl and his countess at Kenilworth (they were supporters of the king against the barons) until a ransom was paid.

Related Topics:
Simon de Montfort - Kenilworth

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After the death of this earl the title and the castle was passed to the Beauchamp family, who over the next 180 years were largely responsible for most of the fortifications that can be seen today.

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The castle was then owned by various Earls of Warwick (including Richard Neville, the Kingmaker) until 1978 when it was sold to the Tussauds Group, the company that owns Madame Tussaud's in London, which carried out extensive restorations to the castle and opened it to the public.

Related Topics:
Richard Neville, the Kingmaker - The Tussauds Group - Madame Tussaud's

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It is said to be the best-preserved castle in Britain.

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