MIDDLEHAM for adventures in Wensleydale and Richmondshire
Middleham is a small market town within the Richmondshire district of North Yorkshire, England. It is steeped in history and lies in Wensleydale, in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, on the north-facing side of the valley, just above the junction of the River Ure and River Cover. There has been a settlement here since Roman Britain It was recorded in the Doomsday Book as "Medelai".
Middleham is twinned with the northern French town of Agincourt.
Middleham Castle dominates the town, it was started in 1190. The Nevilles, Earls of Warwick, acquired it through marriage in the 13th century and called it the "Windsor of the North". The young Richard III, while he was still Duke of Gloucester came here to learn the skills of knighthood in 1462. While he was at Middleham Castle he became betrothed to Warwick's daughter, Anne Neville, whom he married in 1472. Richard III became master of the castle in 1471 and this is where his son Edward was born. Richard III used the castle as his political base as he administered the North for his brother Edward IV. During the War of the Roses they held both Edward IV and Henry VI prisoner here. In 1484 young Edward died at the age of eleven at the castle, followed just a year later by his mother Anne Neville. King Richard himself died later in the year 1485 in the Battle of Bosworth: the last reigning King of England to die in battle.
At the time of King Richard III, Middleham was a bustling market town and important political center. As early as 1389 the lord of Middleham Manor received a grant from the crown to hold a weekly market and a yearly fair on the feast of St. Alkelda the Virgin. Middleham is built around two markets, the larger, lower market is dominated by a large mediaeval cross which is now topped by a relatively modern iron cross in the celtic style. The upper, or swine market, centers around the remains of a 15th-century market cross and an oblong line of steps. At one end of the market cross is a worn effigy of an animal reclining and at the other may have had a moulded capital.
Most buildings in the old part of Middleham were built after 1600, though the old rectory of the church has some mediaeval elements incorporated into it. In 1607 it is documented that Middleham was important enough to have a Royal Court, and all residents of the forest of Wensleydale fell under its jurisdiction.
Middleham Today
Today the town is a modern centre of horse racing in the UK and is home to the Middleham Trainers' Association. The first racehorse trainer to train at Middleham was Isaac Cape in 1765. Today there are several racehorse trainers based here including Mark Johnston, Patrick Haslam and Ian Jones. Racing is the number one employer in the town. Tourism is the second biggest industry in the town.
The front of the Middleham Jewel showing the Crucifixion of Jesus.
This castle in now a ruin, after having been dismantled in 1646. The keep, which was built by Robert Fitz Ralph in the 1170s survives to this day along the 13th century chapel and the 14th century gatehouse. In 1985 the Middleham Jewel was found by chance on the grounds of the castle by a man who happened to be using a metal detector in the area. The Middleham Jewel is a 68 gram gold pendant with a 10 ct. blue sapphire stone. One side of the diamond shaped pendant is engraved with a representation of the Trinity and the other with a Latin inscription indicating that the pendant is a charm against epilepsy. It has been acquired by the Yorkshire Museum in York for £2.5 Million.
The town of Middleham attracts visitors from around the world and is particulalry popular with weekend and day trippers. There are a number of shops, cafes, pubs and accommodation providers in the town. It is the ideal base for exploring both the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors National Parks.