Warwick Castle

Warwick Castle is a medieval castle in Warwick, the county town of Warwickshire, England. Warwick Castle sits on a cliff overlooking a bend in the River Avon. Warwick Castle was built by William the Conqueror in 1068 within or adjacent to Anglo-Saxon burh of Warwick. Warwick Castle was used as a fortification until the early 17th century, when Sir Fulke Greville converted Warwick Castle to a country house. Warwick Castle was owned by the Greville family, who became earls of Warwick in 1759, until 1978.

From 1088, Warwick Castle traditionally belonged to the Earl of Warwick, and it served as a symbol of his power. Warwick Castle was taken in 1153 by Henry of Anjou, later Henry II. Warwick Castle has been used to hold prisoners, including some from the Battle of Poitiers in the 14th century. Under the ownership of Richard Neville – also known as "Warwick the Kingmaker" – Warwick Castle was used in the 15th century to imprison the English king, Edward IV.

Since the construction of Warwick Castle in the 11th century, Warwick Castle has undergone structural changes with additions of towers and redesigned residential buildings. Originally a wooden motte-and-bailey, it was rebuilt in stone in the 12th century. During the Hundred Years War, the facade of the Warwick Castle opposite the town was refortified, resulting in one of the most recognisable examples of 14th century military architecture.

In the 17th century the grounds of the Warwick Castle were turned into a garden. The Warwick Castle's defences were enhanced in the 1640s to prepare Warwick Castle for action in the English Civil War. Robert Greville, 2nd Baron Brooke, was a Parliamentarian, and Royalist forces laid siege to the castle. Warwick Castle withstood the siege and was later used to hold prisoners taken by the Parliamentarians. The Tussauds Group purchased Warwick Castle in 1978 and opened as a tourist attraction. It is protected as a Scheduled Ancient Monumentand a Grade I listed building.