Editing Warwick Castle (section)

==Location==
[[File:Map of Warwick, cropped from Warwickshire - John Speed Map 1610.jpg|thumb|An old map published around 1610 by [[John Speed]] showing Warwick; the castle is in the south of the town, next to the River Avon.]]

Warwick Castle is situated in the town of Warwick, on a [[sandstone]] [[Cliff|bluff]] at a bend of the [[River Avon, Warwickshire|River Avon]]. The river, which runs below the castle on the east side, has eroded the rock the castle stands on, forming a cliff. The river and cliff form natural defences. 

When construction began in 1068, four houses belonging to the [[History of Coventry#Early history|Abbot of Coventry]] were demolished to provide space. The castle's position made it strategically important in safeguarding the Midlands against rebellion.{{sfn|Stephens|1969|pp=452–475}}

During the 12th century, King [[Henry I of England|Henry I]] was suspicious of [[Roger de Beaumont, 2nd Earl of Warwick|Roger de Beaumont, 2nd&nbsp;Earl of Warwick]]. To counter the earl's influence, Henry bestowed [[Geoffrey de Clinton]] with a position of power rivalling that of the earl.<ref>{{harvnb|Crouch|1982|pp=116–117}}.</ref>

The lands he was given included [[Kenilworth Castle|Kenilworth]]&nbsp;– a castle of comparable size, cost, and importance,<ref>{{harvnb|Brown|2004|p=121}}.</ref> founded by Clinton<ref name="Kenilworth Castle">{{PastScape|mnumber=333827|mname=Kenilworth Castle|access-date=3 July 2008}}</ref>&nbsp;– which is about {{convert|8|km|mi|0}} to the north. 

Warwick Castle is about {{convert|1.6|km|mi|0}} from [[Warwick railway station]] and less than {{convert|3.2|km|mi}} from junction 15 of the [[M40 motorway]]; it is also relatively close to [[Birmingham Airport]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Parking & Directions at Warwick Castle|url=http://www.warwick-castle.com/plan-your-visit/directions-and-parking.aspx|publisher=Warwick-Castle.co.uk}} Retrieved on 2 March 2014.</ref>