Editing Middleham Castle (section)

== Description ==
[[File:Middleham Castle.JPG|left|thumb|Gatehouse of Middleham Castle]]
[[File:Middleham Castle castle remains.jpg|right|thumb|Remaining wall with [[arrow slits]] for defence]]

The castle is a compact, massive structure, and though ruinous, most of the walls are intact. A simple rectangle in plan, the castle consists of a massive [[Normans|Norman]] [[keep]] surrounded by a later [[Curtain wall (fortification)|curtain wall]], to which were then added extensive, palatial residential ranges.{{sfn|Weaver|1993|p=3}} The location of the castle was as a safe refuge on the road from Richmond to Skipton, and in this respect, it guarded the road and the area of Coverdale. [[Sir Nikolaus Pevsner|Pevsner]] comments that the site of the original castle which had a motte of {{convert|40|ft}} was far better placed to defend the road than the latter castle of 1190.{{sfn|Pevsner|1966|p=245}}

The keep is similar to other large square keeps, but had only two storeys,{{sfn|Turner|2004|p=27}} even so, at {{convert|105|ft}} from north to south and {{convert|78|ft}} west to east, is one of the largest in England.{{sfn|Pevsner|1966|p=246}}{{sfn|Weaver|1993|p=6}} It is divided on both levels by an internal wall, and there are turrets at each corner and midway along each wall. The ground floor has two large, originally vaulted, chambers, and above are two grand halls surrounded by high windows.{{sfn|Weaver|1993|p=11}} The entrance is by staircase to the first floor—as was common—and a later chapel outbuilding defends that approach. A repaired spiral staircase leads up to the top of the south-east corner tower,{{sfn|Pevsner|1966|p=246}} affording views of the surrounding town and countryside, including the original castle motte to the south-west.{{sfn|Turner|2004|p=29}} The south-west tower is sometimes referred to as the Prince's Tower on account of Richard III's son, Edward, having been born in the tower, though there is no documentary evidence of this:{{sfn|Turner|2004|p=30}}<ref name="CJH">{{cite book |last1=Hatcher |first1=C. J. |title=Richmondshire Architecture |year=1990 |publisher=Hatcher |location=Richmond |isbn=0-9515880-0-1 |page=157}}</ref> in a survey conducted in 1538, it is simply referred to as the "Rounde Towre".{{sfn|Weaver|1993|p=21}}

The 13th-century curtain wall surrounds the keep [[concentric castle|concentrically]], making the castle into a compact and effective defensive structure, though it was built more for comfort than security.{{sfn|Weaver|1993|p=8}} In the 15th century the Nevilles constructed an impressive range of halls and outbuildings against these walls, turning the castle into a truly magnificent residence, fit for nobles of their stature. Bridges at first-floor level were built to connect these to the keep, and the ceiling above the great hall was also raised, either to provide a [[clerestory]] or space for another chamber.{{sfn|Turner|2004|p=30}}

The entrance to the castle is through a tower in the north-east corner, though this was also a 15th-century modification. Only foundations remain of the original gatehouse, facing east into the now-vanished outer ward. The gatehouse was remodelled in the 14th century with diagonal turrets and flanked by an arch. Spaces in the stonework were provided so that missiles could be launched on would-be attackers.<ref name="CJH"/> Apart from this east wall, however, the circuit of the walls is fairly complete, though the walls of the residential buildings are gone. Some restoration was done on the castle in modern times, but there is extensive damage to the lower faces of the keep. Windows and doorways have crumbled away, floors have fallen in, and none of the battlements remain. Still, the castle is an impressive ruin, and the sense of its original strength and grandeur remains.{{sfn|Speight|1897|p=[https://archive.org/details/romanticrichmon00speigoog/page/n342 296]}}

As a tourist attraction, the castle has about 400,000 visitors a year (average for 2010–2021).<ref>{{cite news |editor-last1=Chapman |editor-first1=Hannah |title=Middleham Town Council |work=Darlington & Stockton Times |issue=2022–43 |date=28 October 2022 |page=60|issn=2516-5348}}</ref>