Warwick Castle

Castle in England, on the River Avon, 32 km/20 mi southeast of Birmingham. The first defences were erected here in Saxon times, and a wooden castle with a ditch built around 1065-67 by the Earl of Warwick. The fortifications were strengthened in 1068 by William (I) the Conqueror, and construction of the present stone castle began in 1345. The interior was completely rebuilt in the 17th century, and the Avon-side grounds landscaped in the 18th century by Capability Brown.

Considered one of the finest medieval castles in England, Warwick contains state rooms, a fine collection of armour, silver vault, dungeon, and ghost tower.

History After the Conquest the castle was appropriated by William (I) the Conqueror and given to Henry de Newburgh. It suffered severe damage in the Barons' War of 1215-17 and that of 1264-67, and was granted to the Beauchamp family in 1263, though still Crown property. The castle passed through various hands and by the 16th century was mostly in ruins, some parts being used as a jail. Around 1605 to 1612 it was restored and strengthened by Fulke Greville, whose cousin Robert later held it for the King during the Civil War.