Cycling in Wensleydale - Part 3 - Middleham

Middleham was just over a mile from the campsite and was another place on my “must visit” list. I cycled there after tea.

Middleham Bridge is a Grade II listed building - originally built in 1830 and upgraded in 1865

Middleham is at the beginning of Coverdale and on the edge of Wensleydale. Little is known of the history of Middleham prior to 1066 although there is evidence of a Roman settlement. 

The first castle at Middleham was a motte and bailey castle probably established by Alan, Lord of Richmond in the 11^th century. The old site was abandoned in the 12^th century when the existing castle was built. The principle building on the new site was a massive stone keep which is still the dominant feature of the castle.

By 1270 the castle was owned by the Neville family of Raby. In the 15^th century Middleham Castle was the home of several of the greatest lords of the day and was the childhood home and favourite residence of King Richard III. 

In 1459 Richard Neville, Earl of Salisbury, led 5,000 men from Middleham against the Lancastrians – he was trapped and later beheaded at Pontefract. 

Richard’s son, the Earl of Warwick (aka “Warwick the Kingmaker”) took control of the castle and when Richard III married Anne Neville (the Kingmaker’s daughter) they lived in Middleham and the castle was described as the `Windsor of the North’.

 

The Market Place today is surrounded by predominantly Georgian buildings but the origins are much earlier. A number of the houses are of high status reflecting the wealth and importance of the Georgian town. It was also the site of annual fairs and markets – the cross in the Market Place is a sign of “honest dealing”.

The Swine Cross was the site of the regular livestock markets and the ring for tethering bulls can still be seen. The original market charter was granted by Richard III in 1479

The earliest plans for the church date from 1280. John Neville, Lord of Middleham, enlarged the church in 1340 and in 1388 Richard II granted a licence for an annual fair on the Feast of St Alkeda – a Christian Saxon princess who was murdered in 800AD by pagan women.

 

Middleham has along and proud association with the training of thoroughbred racehorses. This dates back to the horses bred by the monks of Jervaulx Abbey. In 1537 a letter to Thomas Cromwell recommended Middleham and Jervaulx for the training of horses. There was a racecourse on Middleham High Moor where frequent meetings were held. The horses raced in a series of heats and a lot of money changed hands. The last race on the moor was in 1873.

Rubbing Houses were used for a method known as the Yorkshire Sweats. During training horses were wrapped in blankets and galloped over long distances before returning to the Rubbing Houses to have the sweat scraped off. Rubbing Houses were also used during race meetings as horses did not run in just one race; they ran in a series of heats and between heats the Rubbing Houses were in constant use.