Guidebook: Middleham Castle
From the core of a powerful 12th-century Norman keep, under the Nevill family Middleham Castle developed into a residence worthy of the great lords who lived there during the 15th century. Most of all, the castle is closely associated with Richard III, who spent several years as a young man at the castle and later preferred Middleham above his other properties. Richard's only son, Edward, was born and died at Middleham. After Richard's death the castle was seized by the Crown, but by the end of the 17th century had fallen into ruin.