Middleham Castle: North Yorkshire (English Heritage Guidebooks)

The first castle at Middleham was a motte-and-bailey castle, probably established by Alan, lord of Richmond, in the eleventh century. Its earthworks survive on the high ground to the south-west of the present castle. The old site was abandoned in the twelfth century when the existing castle was built. The principal building on the new site was a massive stone keep which is still the dominant feature of the castle. The surrounding ranges were added later, providing new accommodation of a standard that was palatial for that time. In the fifteenth century Middleham Castle was the home of several of the greatest lords of the day and was closely associated with Richard III. This guidebook provides a tour of the castle remains, gives and account of its history and explains how the buildings changed over the centuries.