Middleham Castle in North Yorkshire is dominated by an immense Norman keep, one of the largest in England, originally built by Robert Fitzrandolph in 1190. The powerful Neville family subsequently constructed luxurious ranges of chambers around the keep, earning Middleham the designation 'Windsor of the North' during the 15th century. The castle served as the childhood home of King Richard III, providing insight into the lives of medieval nobility and the strategic importance of northern strongholds. Managed by English Heritage, the site features exhibits, a viewing platform with superb Wensleydale vistas, and artifacts including a replica of the exquisite Middleham Jewel, a 15th-century sapphire pendant that exemplifies the castle's former grandeur and refinement.
