This view
from the edge of the Low Moor shows the magnificent outline
of the great castle, once
known as the `Windsor of the North` during
the reign of King Richard III
There
has been a settlement here since Roman times and Middleham is mentioned in the
Domesday Book when its name was `Medelai`.
Situated in Wensleydale, nestling on the
hillside between the River Cover and the River Ure just 2 miles from the busy
little market town of Leyburn is Middleham with its magnificent castle ruins towering over clusters of old grey stone cottages,
fine old Georgian and Victorian houses and its two cobbled market
squares.
Middleham is noted for three famous features - King Richard the Third, the
magnificent Castle with the largest keep in the north of England and in more modern
times its horse-racing industry.
The
growth of the racing industry in Georgian times saw the rebuilding of much of
Middleham and the establishment of the first recorded racehorse trainer,
Isaac Cape around 1765. Race meetings were held regularly on the High
Moor during the 18th Century and during this period most of the town was
rebuilt. Now much of the
town is protected as a conservation area and European
funding has financed the re-cobbling of the towns squares.
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One of the
earliest most influential inhabitants of the castle was Richard Neville, Earl of
Warwick also known as `The Kingmaker` who during the Wars of the Roses held both
Edward IV and Henry VI prisoner at Middleham.
There have been many books by various historians about the life and times of
King Richard III - this enigmatic sovereign - much of it is still supposition
and speculation but here is a brief outline of what has been written about his
life here in Middleham.
Around 1462 a young Richard, (then Duke of Gloucester) came here as part of his
training in the skills of war under the Earl of Warwick.
It was here that Richard met his future wife Anne Neville
(Warwick's daughter) and they married in 1472. During his time at
Middleham he increased its status when it became his political power base whilst
he administered the North on behalf of his brother King Edward 1V and
created more trading opportunities at extra `fairs` in the town. It was also his
intention to found a college and in 1478 the Church of St. Mary and St. Alkelda
was made `collegiate` by Richard, then Duke of Gloucester and had history taken
a different course, Middleham could possibly have been a great seat of learning
with a King`s College here! Richard became King in
1483 much to the joy of the inhabitants of Middleham.
His reign, however, was
short and he suffered personal tragedies, his eleven year old only son Edward died at Middleham
Castle on the 9th April 1484 followed the next year by Richard`s
wife Anne who died, aged 28, on March 16th 1485. Richard did not
survive his wife long, he died, aged only 31, at the Battle of
Bosworth in 1485 fighting valiantly to the last ~ the last reigning English monarch to die in battle and he was greatly mourned
here in the north ~ requiem mass is still said in
Middleham Church on the anniversary of his death.
Unfortunately the best known written work has
been the storyline by William Shakespeare who portrayed him as a villain thus
gaining favour for himself with the Tudors.. But latter day historians
have tried to redress the balance portraying him as betrayed, unfairly maligned,
generous, loyal and much loved
by his people.
"King Richard, late mercifully reigning upon
us.. was slain and murdered to the great heaviness of this city"
(York City Council Books - entered the day after
Bosworth)
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(portrait
reproduced by kind permission
of the Richard III Foundation)
