Warwick

Warwick (pronounced 'warrick' {{IPA|}}) is the historic county town of Warwickshire in England and has a population of 25,434 (2001 census). The town lies upon the River Avon.

History

According to tradition, Warwick was founded on the banks of the River Avon in the year 914 AD, when Ethelfleda, sister of Mercian king Edward the Elder built defences against Danish (Viking) invaders; these were to be the basis of Warwick Castle. The name 'Warwick' means "dwellings by the weir".

Related Topics:
914 - Ethelfleda - Mercia - Edward the Elder - Danish - Warwick Castle - Weir

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In 1016 the Danes invaded Mercia and burned down much of Warwick, including the nunnery (which stood on the site of the present day St Nicholas Church).

Related Topics:
1016 - Nunnery

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Its fortifications led Warwick to become an important administrative centre within the Mercian kingdom. In the early 11th century Anglo-Saxon England was divided into administrative areas known as shires, and the shire administered from Warwick became known as Warwickshire. By the time of Domesday Book, Warwick was a royal borough.

Related Topics:
11th century - Anglo-Saxon - Warwickshire - Domesday Book

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In medieval times, Warwick remained under the control of various Earls of Warwick, mostly of the Beauchamp family, and became a walled town. Today the only remains of the town walls are the east and west gatehouses. The east gatehouse now serves as part of the Kings High School, a sister institution to Warwick School. Warwick was not incorporated as a town until 1546.

Related Topics:
Medieval - Earls of Warwick - 1546

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In 1694 a great fire destroyed much of the town, and as a result most of the buildings in the town centre are of 17th and 18th century origin, although a number of older medieval buildings survive, especially around the edges of the town centre.

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The fire burnt down most of the medieval church of St Mary; the Beauchamp Chapel, however, survived, having been built between 1443 and 1464 according to the wishes of Richard Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick (who had died in Rouen in 1439). A full size reclining copper gilt effigy of the Earl lies upon his Purbeck marble tomb - a fine piece of medieval metalwork cast in 1459.

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