Editing Warwick Castle

{{short description|Medieval motte-and-bailey castle in Warwickshire, England}}
{{about|the castle in Warwickshire|the pub in London|Warwick Castle, Maida Vale}}
{{featured article}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox military installation
|location      = [[Warwick]]
|nearest_town  = 
|country       = England
|image         = Warwick Castle May 2016.jpg
|caption       = Warwick Castle and the [[River Avon, Warwickshire|River Avon]]
|coordinates   = {{Coord|52|16|46|N|01|35|05|W|region:GB_type:airport|display=inline,title}}
|pushpin_map   = Warwickshire
|pushpin_map_caption = Shown within Warwickshire
|pushpin_label = Warwick Castle
|ownership     = [[LXi REIT]]
|operator      = [[Merlin Entertainments]]
|built         = {{Start date|df=yes|1068}}
|materials     = Stone
|open_to_public = 1978
|website       = {{url|warwick-castle.com/}}
}}
'''Warwick Castle''' is a medieval [[castle]] developed from a wooden fort, originally built by [[William I of England|William the Conqueror]] during 1068. [[Warwick]] is the [[county town]] of [[Warwickshire]], England, situated on a meander of the [[River Avon, Warwickshire|River Avon]]. The original wooden [[motte-and-bailey]] castle was rebuilt in stone during the 12th century. During the [[Hundred Years War]], the facade opposite the town was refortified, resulting in one of the most recognisable examples of 14th-century military architecture. It was used as a [[stronghold]] until the early 17th century, when it was granted to [[Fulke Greville, 1st Baron Brooke|Sir Fulke Greville]] by [[James VI and I|James I]] in 1604. Greville converted it to a [[country house]], and it was owned by the Greville family (who became [[Earl of Warwick|Earls of Warwick]] in 1759) until 1978, when it was bought by [[the Tussauds Group]].

In 2007, the Tussauds Group was purchased by the [[Blackstone Inc.|Blackstone Group]], which merged it with [[Merlin Entertainments]]. Warwick Castle was then sold to [[Nick Leslau]]'s investment firm, Prestbury Group, under a sale and leaseback agreement.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6902797.stm|agency=[[BBC News]]|title=Alton Towers sold in £622m deal|date=17 July 2007|access-date=18 July 2007}}</ref> Merlin continues to operate the site under a renewable 35-year lease.<ref name="telegraph.co.uk">{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/markets/2812377/Merlin-conjures-up-leaseback-deal.html|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/markets/2812377/Merlin-conjures-up-leaseback-deal.html|archive-date=12 January 2022|url-access=subscription|url-status=live|title=Merlin conjures up leaseback deal|date=17 July 2007|access-date=2 December 2017|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

==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>

==History==

===Antecedent===
An Anglo-Saxon [[burh]] was established on the site in 914; with fortifications instigated by [[Æthelflæd]], daughter of [[Alfred the Great]]. The burh she established was one of ten which defended [[Mercia]] against the invading [[Danes (Germanic tribe)|Danes]]. Its position allowed it to dominate the [[Fosse Way]], as well as the river valley and the crossing over the River Avon. Though the motte to the south-west of the present castle is now called "Ethelfleda's Mound" ('Ethelfleda' being an alternative form of Æthelflæd), it is in fact part of the later Norman fortifications, and not of Anglo-Saxon origin.<ref>{{harvnb|Allison|Dunning|Jones|1969|p=418}}.</ref>

It was also at this time, that what is now [[Warwick School]] was founded in the castle - making it arguably the oldest boys' school in the country. It still resides just over the River Avon, visible from all of the castle's towers.<ref>{{cite web|title=Interactive Map of Castles in England|url=https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryMagazine/DestinationsUK/CastlesinEngland/|access-date=5 December 2023|website=Historic UK}}</ref>

===Middle Ages===
[[File:Warwick Castle - The Mound.jpg|thumb|right|The motte of the Norman [[motte-and-bailey]] castle is called [[Ethelfleda]]'s Mound]]
After the [[Norman conquest of England]], William the Conqueror established a [[motte-and-bailey]] castle at Warwick in 1068 to maintain control of the Midlands as he advanced northwards.<ref name=pastscape/><ref>{{harvnb|Brown|2004|p=32}}.</ref> Building a castle in a pre-existing settlement could require demolishing properties on the intended site. In the case of Warwick, the least recorded of the 11&nbsp;urban castles in the [[Domesday Book|1086 survey]], four houses were torn down to make way for the castle.<ref>{{harvnb|Harfield|1991|pp=373, 382}}.</ref> A motte-and-bailey castle consists of a mound&nbsp;– on which usually stands a [[keep]] or tower&nbsp;– and a bailey, which is an enclosed courtyard. William II appointed [[Henry de Beaumont, 1st Earl of Warwick|Henry de Beaumont]], the son of a powerful Norman family, as [[constable]] of the castle.{{sfn|Stephens|1969|pp=452–475}} In 1088, Henry de Beaumont was made the first [[Earl of Warwick]].{{sfn|Stephens|1969|pp=452–475}} He founded the Church of All Saints within the castle walls by 1119; the [[Bishop of Worcester]], believing that a castle was an inappropriate location for a church, removed it in 1127–28.{{sfn|Stephens|1969|pp=452–475}}

In 1153, [[Gundreda de Warenne]] was tricked into believing that her husband, [[Roger de Beaumont, 2nd Earl of Warwick]], was dead; she then surrendered control of the castle to the invading army of [[Henry II of England|Henry of Anjou]], later King Henry II of England.{{sfn|Stephens|1969|pp=452–475}}<ref>{{harvnb|Liddiard|2005|p=74}}.</ref> According to the ''[[Deeds of King Stephen|Gesta Regis Stephani]]'', a 12th-century historical text, Roger de Beaumont died upon hearing the news that his wife had handed over the castle.<ref>{{harvnb|Potter|1955|p=235}}.</ref> King Henry II later returned the castle to the Earls of Warwick, as they had been supporters of his mother, [[Empress Matilda]], in [[The Anarchy]] of 1135–1154.<ref>{{harvnb|Davis|1903|p=639}}.</ref>

[[File:Warwick Castle - Caesar's Tower 2016.jpg|thumb|left|Caesar's Tower was built between 1330 and 1360]]
During the reign of King Henry II (1154–89), the motte-and-bailey was replaced with a stone keep castle. This new [[archaeological phase|phase]] took the form of a shell keep with all the buildings constructed against the [[Curtain wall (fortification)|curtain wall]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Bloom|first=J. Harvey|author-link=James Harvey Bloom|title=Warwick Castle|page=10|work=[[The Times]]|date=18 January 1929}}</ref> During the [[Revolt of 1173–1174|Barons' Rebellion of 1173–74]], the Earl of Warwick remained loyal to King Henry II, and the castle was used to store provisions.{{sfn|Stephens|1969|pp=452–475}} The castle and the lands associated with the earldom passed down to the Beaumont family until 1242. When [[Thomas de Beaumont, 6th Earl of Warwick]], died, the castle and lands passed to his sister, [[Margaret de Newburg, Countess of Warwick|Margaret de Beaumont, 7th Countess of Warwick in her own right]]. Her first husband, John Marshal, died soon after, and while she looked for a suitable husband, the castle was in the ownership of King [[Henry III of England]]. When she married John du Plessis in December 1242, the castle was returned to her.{{sfn|Stephens|1969|pp=452–475}} During the [[Second Barons' War]] of 1264–67, [[William Maudit, 8th Earl of Warwick]], was a supporter of King Henry III.{{sfn|Stephens|1969|pp=452–475}} The castle was taken in a surprise attack by the forces of [[Simon de Montfort, 6th Earl of Leicester]], from [[Kenilworth Castle]] in 1264.{{sfn|Stephens|1969|pp=452–475}} According to 15th-century chronicler [[John Rous (historian)|John Rous]], the walls along the northeastern side of Warwick Castle were [[Slighting|slighted]], so "that it should be no strength to the king".{{sfn|Stephens|1969|pp=452–475}} Maudit and his countess were taken to Kenilworth Castle and were held there until a ransom was paid. After the death of William Maudit in 1267, the title and castle passed to his nephew, [[William de Beauchamp, 9th Earl of Warwick|William de Beauchamp, 9th&nbsp;Earl of Warwick]]. Following William's death, Warwick Castle passed through seven generations of the Beauchamp family, who, over the next 180&nbsp;years, were responsible for most of the additions made to the castle. In 1312, [[Piers Gaveston, 1st Earl of Cornwall]], was captured by [[Guy de Beauchamp, 10th Earl of Warwick]], and imprisoned in Warwick Castle, until his execution on 9 June 1312.{{sfn|Stephens|1969|pp=452–475}}<ref>{{harvnb|Keightley|1839|pp=257–258}}.</ref> A group of [[magnate]]s led by the Earl of Warwick and [[Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster]], accused Gaveston of stealing the royal treasure.<ref>{{harvnb|Hamilton|1991|p=201}}.</ref>

Under [[Thomas de Beauchamp, 11th Earl of Warwick|Thomas de Beauchamp, 11th Earl]],{{sfn|Stephens|1969|pp=452–475}}<ref name="Liddiard59"/> the castle defences were significantly enhanced in 1330–60 on the north eastern side by the addition of a [[gatehouse]], a [[barbican]] (a form of fortified gateway), and a tower on either side of the reconstructed wall, named Caesar's Tower and Guy's Tower.<ref name="Liddiard59">{{harvnb|Liddiard|2005|p=59}}.</ref><ref name="Brown104">{{harvnb|Brown|2004|p=104}}.</ref> The Watergate Tower also dates from this period.<ref>{{harvnb|Brown|2004|p=103}}.</ref>

[[File:Warwick Castle - Guy's Tower 2017.jpg|thumb|upright|Guy's Tower, constructed 1330–1360, photographed in 2017]]
Caesar's and Guy's Towers are residential and may have been inspired by French models (for example [[Bricquebec]]). Both towers are [[machicolation|machicolated]] and Caesar's Tower features a unique double parapet. The two towers are also vaulted in stone on every storey. Caesar's Tower contained a grim basement [[dungeon]];<ref name="Friar">{{harvnb|Friar|2007|p=25}}.</ref> according to local legend dating back to at least 1644 it is also known as Poitiers Tower, either because prisoners from the [[Battle of Poitiers]] in 1356 may have been imprisoned there, or because the ransoms raised from the battle helped to pay for its construction.{{sfn|Stephens|1969|pp=452–475}} The gatehouse features [[murder holes]], two [[drawbridge]]s, a gate, and [[portcullis]]es&nbsp;– gates made from wood or metal.<ref>{{harvnb|Friar|2007|p=128}}.</ref> The towers of the gatehouse were machicolated.<ref>{{harvnb|Friar|2007|p=184}}.</ref>

The facade overlooking the river was designed as a symbol of the power and wealth of the Beauchamp earls and would have been "of minimal defensive value"; this followed a trend of 14th-century castles being more statements of power than designed exclusively for military use.<ref>{{harvnb|Friar|2007|pp=57, 70}}.</ref>

===15th and 16th centuries===
[[File:Warwick Castle's Bear and Clarence Towers.jpg|thumb|left|upright|The Bear and Clarence Towers which were built by King [[Richard III of England|Richard III]] in the 1480s]]
The line of the Beauchamp Earls ended in 1449 when [[Anne de Beauchamp, 15th Countess of Warwick]], died.{{sfn|Stephens|1969|pp=452–475}} [[Richard Neville, 16th Earl of Warwick|Richard Neville, the ''Kingmaker'']], became the next Earl of Warwick through his wife's inheritance of the title. During the summer of 1469, Neville rebelled against King [[Edward IV of England]] and imprisoned him in Warwick Castle. Neville attempted to rule in the King's name;{{sfn|Stephens|1969|pp=452–475}} however, constant protests by the King's supporters forced the Earl to release the King. Neville was subsequently killed in the [[Battle of Barnet]], fighting against the King in 1471 during the [[Wars of the Roses]]. 

Warwick Castle then passed from Neville to his son-in-law, [[George Plantagenet, 1st Duke of Clarence]] (brother of King Edward IV). George Plantagenet was executed in 1478, and his lands passed onto his son, [[Edward Plantagenet, 17th Earl of Warwick]]; however, Edward Plantagenet was only two when his father died, so his lands were taken in the custody of [[The Crown]]. He was placed under attainder, and so could not inherit the throne, by King [[Henry VII of England]], being held by the King for fourteen years in the [[Tower of London]] until he was executed for [[high treason]] in 1499, supposedly for conspiring to escape with the 'pretender' [[Perkin Warbeck]].<ref>{{harvnb|Fuller|Nuttall|1840|pp=273–274}}.</ref> Edward was the last Earl of Warwick of the title's first creation.{{sfn|Stephens|1969|pp=452–475}}

In the early 1480s, King [[Richard III of England]] (the other son-in-law of Neville) instigated the construction of two gun towers, Bear and Clarence Towers, which were left unfinished on his death in 1485; with their own well and ovens, the towers were an independent stronghold from the rest of the castle, possibly in case of mutiny by the [[garrison]]. With the advent of gunpowder, the position of Keeper of the Artillery was created in 1486.{{sfn|Stephens|1969|pp=452–475}}

[[File:Warwick castle torture.JPG|thumb|upright|right|A [[gibbet]], previously on display in the dungeon in the basement of Caesar's Tower]]
When [[antiquary]] [[John Leland (antiquary)|John Leland]] visited the castle some time between 1535 and 1543, he noted that:
{{blockquote|...&nbsp;the dungeon now in ruin standeth in the west-north-west part of the castle. There is also a tower west-north-west, and through it a postern-gate of iron. All the principal lodgings of the castle with the hall and chapel lie on the south side of the castle, and here the king doth much cost in making foundations in the rocks to sustain that side of the castle, for great pieces fell out of the rocks that sustain it.{{sfn|Stephens|1969|pp=452–475}}}}

While in the care of The Crown, Warwick Castle underwent repairs and renovations using about 500&nbsp;loads of stone. The castle, as well as lands associated with the earldom, was in Crown care from 1478 until 1547, when they were granted to [[John Dudley, 1st Duke of Northumberland|John Dudley]] with the second creation of the title the Earl of Warwick.{{sfn|Stephens|1969|pp=452–475}}

When making his appeal for ownership of the castle Dudley said of the castle's condition: "...&nbsp;the castle of its self is not able to lodge a good baron with his train, for all the one side of the said castle with also the dungeon tower is clearly ruinated and down to the ground".{{sfn|Stephens|1969|pp=452–475}}

Warwick Castle had fallen into decay due to its age and neglect, and despite his remarks Dudley did not initiate any repairs to the castle.{{sfn|Stephens|1969|pp=452–475}} [[Elizabeth I of England|Queen Elizabeth I]] visited the castle in 1566 during a [[Royal Entry|tour of the country]], and again in 1572 for four nights. A timber building was erected in the castle for her to stay in, and [[Ambrose Dudley, 3rd Earl of Warwick]], left the castle to the Queen during her visits.{{sfn|Stephens|1969|pp=452–475}} 

When Ambrose Dudley died in 1590 the title of Earl of Warwick became extinct for the second time. A survey from 1590 recorded that the castle was still in a state of disrepair, noting that lead had been stolen from the roofs of some of the castle's buildings, including the chapel.{{sfn|Stephens|1969|pp=452–475}}

===17th-century country house===
In October 1601 Sir [[Fulke Greville, 1st Baron Brooke|Fulke Greville]] wrote that "the little stone building there was, mightily in decay, the timber lodgings built thirty years ago for herself (Elizabeth I) all ruinous; ... so as in very short time there will be nothing left but a name of Warwick".<ref>''HMC Salisbury Hatfield'', vol. 11 (Dublin, 1906), p. 433.</ref>{{sfn|Stephens|1969|pp=452–475}}<ref name=pastscape/>

[[File:Warwick Castle south-east facade.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|left|The castle's south facade as seen across the River Avon]]
Greville was granted the ruinous Warwick Castle by King [[James I of England|James I]] in 1604 and it was converted to a country house.<ref>[http://great-castles.com/warwickghost.php The Ghost Tower of Warwick Castle] at great-castles.com</ref> The conversion of the castle coincided with a period of decline in the use of castles during the 15th and 16th centuries; many were either being abandoned or converted into comfortable residences for the gentry.<ref>{{harvnb|Friar|2007|pp=90–91}}</ref> In the early 17th century, [[Robert Smythson]] was commissioned to draw a plan of the castle before any changes were made.{{sfn|Stephens|1969|pp=452–475}} Whilst the castle was undergoing repairs, it was peripherally involved in the [[Gunpowder Plot]] of 1605. The conspirators involved awaited news of their plot in [[Dunchurch]] in Warwickshire. When they discovered the plot had failed they stole cavalry horses from the stables at Warwick Castle to help in their escape.{{sfn|Stephens|1969|pp=452–475}} 

When the title of Earl of Warwick was created for the third time in 1618, the Greville family were still in possession of Warwick Castle. Fulke Greville, who was himself ennobled as Baron Brooke in 1621, spent over £20,000 (£{{Formatprice|{{Inflation|UK|20000|1618|r=-6}}|0}} as of {{CURRENTISOYEAR}}) {{Inflation-fn|UK|df=y}} renovating the castle, while occupying a suite of rooms in the Watergate Tower;<ref name=guide>{{cite book|last=Brooks|first=J.&nbsp;A.|title=Warwick Castle|year=1972|publisher=Jarrold & Sons, Norwich|page=unpaginated}}Guidebook.</ref> according to [[William Dugdale]], a 17th-century antiquary, this made it "a place not only of great strength but extraordinary delight, with most pleasant gardens, walks and thickets, such as this part of England can hardly parallel".{{sfn|Stephens|1969|pp=452–475}}

[[File:Chapel warwick castle 8089.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|The chapel was built by Fulke Greville in the early 1600s]]

On 1 September 1628 Fulke Greville was murdered in [[Holborn]] by his [[manservant]]: Ralph Haywood – a "gentleman" – who stabbed the baron twice after discovering he had been omitted from mention in Greville's will. Greville died from his wounds four weeks later.<ref>{{harvnb|Thornbury|1878|pp=542–552}}; {{harvnb|Mee|1936|pp=270–273}}.</ref> The Watergate Tower, which is said to be haunted by his ghost, became known as the Ghost Tower.<ref name=guide/>
 
Under [[Robert Greville, 2nd Baron Brooke]], Warwick Castle's defences were enhanced from January to May 1642 in preparation for attack during the [[First English Civil War]]. The garden walls were raised, [[Glossary of architecture#B|bulwarks]] – barricades of beams and soil to mount artillery – were constructed and gunpowder and wheels for two [[cannon]]s were obtained.{{sfn|Stephens|1969|pp=452–475}}

Robert Greville was a [[Roundhead|Parliamentarian]], and on 7 August 1642 a [[Cavalier|Royalist]] force laid [[siege]] to the castle. Greville was not in the castle at the time and the garrison was under the command of [[Edward Peyto|Sir Edward Peyto]]. [[Spencer Compton, 2nd Earl of Northampton]], [[Lord Lieutenant of Warwickshire]] commanded the [[Cavalier|Royalist]] force. [[William Dugdale]], acting as a herald, called for the garrison commander to surrender the castle, but he was refused. The besieging army opened fire on the castle, to little effect.{{sfn|Stephens|1969|pp=452–475}} According to [[Richard Bulstrode]]:

{{blockquote|...&nbsp;our endeavours for taking it were to little purpose, for we had only two small pieces of cannon which were brought from [[Compton Verney House|Compton House]], belonging to the Earl of Northampton, and those were drawn up to the top of the church steeple, and were discharged at the castle, to which they could do no hurt, but only frightened them within the castle, who shot into the street, and killed several of our men.<ref>{{harvnb|Greville|1903|pp=692–694}}</ref>}}

The siege was lifted on 23 August 1642 when the garrison was relieved by the forces of the [[Robert Devereux, 3rd Earl of Essex|Earl of Essex]], and the Royalists were forced to retreat to [[Worcester, England|Worcester]].{{sfn|Stephens|1969|pp=452–475}} After the [[Battle of Edgehill]] in 1642&nbsp;– the first pitched battle of the English Civil War&nbsp;– prisoners were held in Caesar's and Guy's Towers.{{sfn|Stephens|1969|pp=452–475}} 

During the [[Second English Civil War]] prisoners were again held at the castle, including those from the [[Battle of Worcester]] in 1651. A garrison was maintained in the castle complete with artillery and supplies from 1643 to 1660, at its strongest it numbered 302 soldiers. In 1660 the [[English Council of State]] ordered the castle governor to disband the garrison and hand over the castle to Robert Greville, 4th Baron Brooke.{{sfn|Stephens|1969|pp=452–475}} The state apartments were found to be outmoded and in poor repair. 

Under Roger and William Hurlbutt, master carpenters of Warwick, extensive modernization of the interiors was undertaken, 1669–78. To ensure that they would be in the latest taste, William was sent to [[Dorset]] to make careful notes of the interiors recently finished at [[Kingston Lacy]] for Sir Ralph Bankes to designs by [[Roger Pratt (architect)|Sir Roger Pratt]].<ref>[[Howard Colvin]], ''A Biographical Dictionary of British Architects, 1600–1840'', 3rd ed. (Yale University Press), ''s.v.'' Hurlbutt Roger and William"., noting the accounts quoted in Victoria County History, ''Warwickshire'' viii, 460f.</ref>

On 4 November 1695 the castle was in sufficient state to host a visit by [[William III of England|King William III]].{{sfn|Stephens|1969|pp=452–475}}

[[File:Warwick Castle, the east front by Canaletto, 1752.JPG|thumb|upright=1.4|right|The east front of Warwick Castle from the outer court, painted by [[Canaletto]] in 1752.<ref>{{harvnb|Buttery|1987|p=444}}.</ref>]]
[[File:Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery - Warwick Castle, the East Front from the Courtyard - Canaletto.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|right|The east front of Warwick Castle from inside the courtyard, painted by Canaletto in 1752.]]
[[File:Warwick Castle (4702928).jpg|thumb|upright=1.35|Warwick Castle, painted by William Pitt about 1870]]
[[Francis Greville, 8th Baron Brooke]], undertook a renewed programme of improvements to Warwick Castle and its grounds. The 8th Baron Brooke was also bestowed with the title Earl of Warwick in 1759, the fourth creation of the title. With the recreation of the title, the castle was back in the ownership of the earls of Warwick. [[Daniel Garrett]]'s work at Warwick is documented in 1748; [[Howard Colvin]] attributed to him the [[Gothic Revival|Gothic]] interior of the chapel.<ref>Colvin, ''s.v.'' "Garrett, Daniel".</ref> [[Lancelot Brown|Lancelot "Capability" Brown]] had been on hand since 1749.<ref>{{harvnb|Jacques|2001|pp=48,&nbsp;53}}.</ref> Brown, who was still head gardener at [[Stowe House|Stowe]] at the time and had yet to make his reputation as the main exponent of the [[English landscape garden]], was called in by Lord Brooke to give Warwick Castle a more "natural" connection to its river. Brown simplified the long narrow stretch by sweeping it into a lawn that dropped right to the riverbank, stopped at each end by bold clumps of native trees. A serpentine drive gave an impression of greater distance between the front gates and the castle entrance.<ref>{{harvnb|Hyams|1971|p=21}}.</ref>

[[Horace Walpole]] saw Brown's maturing scheme in 1751 and remarked in a letter: "The castle is enchanting. The view pleased me more than I can express; the river Avon tumbled down a cascade at the foot of it. It is well laid out by one Brown who has set up on a few ideas of [[William Kent|Kent]] and [[Philip Southcote|Mr Southcote]]."<ref>Horace Walpole to George Montague, 22 July 1751, noted in {{harvnb|Jacques|2001|p=55}}.</ref>

In 1754 the poet [[Thomas Gray]], a member of Walpole's Gothicising circle, commented disdainfully on the activity at the castle:

{{blockquote|...&nbsp;he [Francis Greville] has sash'd<ref>[[Sash window]]s had replaced casements in the seventeenth century; they were not considered appropriate for "Gothick" building.</ref> the great apartment&nbsp;... and being since told, that square sash windows were not Gothic, he has put certain whimwams withinside the glass, which appearing through are to look like fretwork. Then he has scooped out a little burrough in the massy walls of the place for his little self<ref>Lord Brooke, who was notably short in stature, was called "little Brooke" by [[Horace Walpole]], in his letter describing Warwick Castle in 1751. {{harvnb|Jacques|2001|p=55}}.</ref> and his children, which is hung with paper and printed linnen, and carved chimney-pieces, in the exact manner of [[Berkeley Square|Berkley-square]] or Argyle Buildings.{{sfn|Stephens|1969|pp=452–475}}}}

Gray's mention of Argyle Buildings, [[Westminster]], London,<ref>Argyle Buildings, Bath (now Argyle Street), were not constructed until ca. 1789 (Colvin, ''s.v.'' "Baldwin, Thomas").</ref> elicited a connotation of an inappropriately modern Georgian urban development, for the buildings in [[Argyll Street]] were a speculation to designs of [[James Gibbs]], 1736–40.<ref>Colvin, ''s.v.'' "Gibbs, James"; Terry Friedman, ''James Gibbs'' (1984:304); 'Argyll Street Area', ''Survey of London'': volumes 31 and 32: St James Westminster, Part 2 (1963), pp. 284–307. ([http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=41478 on-line text]). Date accessed: 10 September 2008: "The Argyll estate appears never to have been a fashionable place of residence."</ref>

Greville commissioned Italian painter [[Canaletto|Antonio Canaletto]] to paint Warwick Castle in 1747,<ref>{{harvnb|Buttery|1987|p=439}}.</ref> while the castle grounds and gardens were undergoing landscaping by Brown. Five paintings and three drawings of the castle by Canaletto are known, making it the artist's most often represented building in Britain.<ref>{{harvnb|Buttery|1987|p=437}}.</ref> Canaletto's work on Warwick Castle has been described as "unique in the history of art as a series of views of an English house by a major continental master".<ref>{{harvnb|Buttery|1987|p=445}}.</ref> As well as the gardens, Greville commissioned Brown to rebuild the exterior entrance porch and stairway to the Great Hall.<ref name="IoE"/> Brown also contributed Gothick designs for a wooden bridge over the Avon (1758).<ref>Colvin, ''s.v.'' "Brown, Lancelot".</ref> He was still at work on Warwick Castle in 1760. Timothy Lightoler was responsible for the porch being extended and extra rooms added adjacent to it in 1763–69.<ref name="IoE"/> and during the same years William Lindley provided a new Dining Room and other interior alterations.<ref>Colvin, ''s.v.'' "Lindley, William", noting Victoria County History ''Warwickshire'' viii. 462.</ref> In 1786–88 the local builder William Eboral was commissioned to build the new greenhouse conservatory, with as its principal ornament the [[Warwick Vase]], recently purchased in Rome.<ref>Victoria County History, ''Warwickshire'', viii. 463.</ref>

In 1802 [[George Greville, 2nd Earl of Warwick]] of the new creation, had debts amounting to £115,000 (£{{Formatprice|{{Inflation|UK|115000|1802|r=-6}}|0}} as of {{CURRENTISOYEAR}}).{{Inflation-fn|UK|df=y}} The earl's estates, including Warwick Castle, were given to the [[Earl of Galloway]] and [[John FitzPatrick, 2nd Earl of Upper Ossory]], in 1806, but the castle was returned to the earls of Warwick in 1813.{{sfn|Stephens|1969|pp=452–475}} The Great Hall was reroofed and repaired in Gothic taste in 1830–31 by [[Ambrose Poynter]].<ref>Poynter's work was lost in the 1871 fire. Colvin, ''s.v.'' Poynter, Ambrosde").</ref> [[Anthony Salvin]] was responsible for restoring the Watergate Tower in 1861–63.<ref name="IoE"/> 

===The fire of 1871===

The castle was extensively damaged by a fire that started in the early hours of Sunday, 3 December 1871,<ref>{{cite book|title=Mistress of Charlecote: The Memoirs of Mary Elizabeth Lucy 1803-1889, pp141-2. [Victor Gollancz 1983; cited Orion edition 2002]|last=Fairfax-Lucy|first=Alice}}.</ref> in Lady Warwick's apartments above the library,<ref>{{cite web |title=Burning of Warwick Castle |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1334491 |access-date=8 November 2024 |website=National Library of Australia: The Brisbane Courier, Thursday February 29, 1872}}</ref> to the east of the Great Hall. Lord and Lady Warwick were away. The flames spread rapidly, the recently restored roof fell in and the Hall and private apartments were completely destroyed. A few of the most valuable books and pictures were all that could be saved.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1334491 |website=National Library of Australia: The Brisbane Courier, Thursday February 29, 1872 |title=Burning of Warwick Castle |access-date=8 November 2024}}</ref>
Art treasures and valuables, including paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens and Van Dyke, were rescued from other rooms in the castle.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1334491 |website=National Library of Australia: The Brisbane Courier, Thursday February 29, 1872 |title=Burning of Warwick Castle |access-date=8 November 2024}}</ref>

The alarm was raised at 2&nbsp;am. Two children, Eva and Sydney Greville, were snatched from their beds in a room above the dining hall by their nurse and carried to safety through smoke and flames, minutes before the main staircase collapsed.<ref>{{cite book|title=Mistress of Charlecote: The Memoirs of Mary Elizabeth Lucy 1803-1889, pp141-2. [Victor Gollancz 1983; cited Orion edition 2002]|last=Fairfax-Lucy|first=Alice}}.</ref> Fire brigades came from Warwick and Leamington, but efforts to fight the spread of the fire were hampered by an inadequate water supply and by the height to which it needed to be pumped. It appeared for a time that the entire castle might be lost.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1334491 |website=National Library of Australia: The Brisbane Courier, Thursday February 29, 1872 |title=Burning of Warwick Castle |access-date=8 November 2024}} </ref>

Some weeks later, according to Lady Warwick,<ref>{{cite book|title=Mistress of Charlecote: The Memoirs of Mary Elizabeth Lucy 1803-1889, pp141-2. [Victor Gollancz 1983; cited Orion edition 2002]|last=Fairfax-Lucy|first=Alice}}.</ref> it was found that the fire had been started deliberately by their recently employed under-butler.<ref>{{cite book|title=Mistress of Charlecote: The Memoirs of Mary Elizabeth Lucy 1803-1889, pp141-2. [Victor Gollancz 1983; cited Orion edition 2002]|last=Fairfax-Lucy|first=Alice}}.</ref> On the Saturday, when the Warwicks were absent, he had asked the housekeeper's permission to bring a friend to show him the castle. Between them the two had stolen all items of value from the private apartments, and the under-butler had started a fire to conceal the robbery.<ref>{{cite book|title=Mistress of Charlecote: The Memoirs of Mary Elizabeth Lucy 1803-1889, pp141-2. [Victor Gollancz 1983; cited Orion edition 2002]|last=Fairfax-Lucy|first=Alice}}.</ref>

Although the Great Hall and private apartments were gutted, the overall structure was unharmed.{{sfn|Stephens|1969|pp=452–475}} 
Restoration and reparations carried out by Salvin during 1872–75 were subsidised by donations from the public, which raised a total of £9,651 (£{{Formatprice|{{Inflation|UK|9651|1875|r=-4}}}} as of {{CURRENTISOYEAR}}).{{Inflation-fn|UK|df=y}}{{sfn|Stephens|1969|pp=452–475}}

==Advent of tourism==
[[File:Warwick Castle Gatehouse.jpg|thumb|upright|The gatehouse]]
Individuals had been visiting the castle since the end of the 17th century,<ref name=stephens517>{{harvnb|Stephens|1969|p=517}}.</ref> and this grew in importance through the 19th century. In 1858, [[Queen Victoria]] visited the [[George Greville, 4th Earl of Warwick|4th earl]], with great local celebrations. However, by 1885 it would appear the visitors were becoming a nuisance, as the earl closed the castle to visitors, causing consternation in the town. A local report stated, "One day last week eight American visitors who were staying at one of the principal hotels left somewhat hurriedly in consequence of their being unable to gain admission to the castle".<ref name=stephens517/> It soon re-opened, again and by 1900 had a ticket office and was employing a permanent guide.<ref name=stephens517/>

[[File:W. W. Quatremain, Warwick Castle the Cedar Room.jpg|thumb|The Cedar Room by [[W. W. Quatremain]], c. 1910]]
By 1936, [[Arthur Mee]] was enthusing not just that "these walls have seen something of the splendour of every generation of our [English] story", with rooms "rich in treasure beyond the dreams of avarice" but also that "their rooms are open to all who will".<ref>{{harvnb|Mee|1936|p=270}}.</ref> 

Through the 20th century, successive earls expanded the castle's tourism potential.<ref name=RT/> 

==Corporate ownership==
[[File:Warwick leaves 8064.jpg|thumb|One of the first views of the castle for tourists entering the grounds]]
In 1967, [[Charles Greville, 7th Earl of Warwick]], transferred the castle and other estates to his son and heir, [[David Greville, 8th Earl of Warwick|Lord Brooke]],<ref>Stuart Hand, [https://www.warwick-castle.com/blog/the-line-of-succession.aspx "The line of succession"], Warwick Castle, 7 May 2017.</ref> who in 1978 sold the Castle to [[the Tussauds Group]] for £1,300,000. The castle had been in the Greville family for 374 years, and its sale caused a public confrontation between father and son.<ref name=RT>[[Robert McG. Thomas Jr.]], [https://www.nytimes.com/1996/01/24/world/earl-of-warwick-61-who-sold-his-castle-to-madame-tussauds.html "Earl of Warwick, 61, Who Sold His Castle to Madame Tussauds"], ''[[The New York Times]]'', 24 January 1996. Retrieved 13 March 2024.</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/118410.stm|title=Pearson to sell Tussauds&nbsp;– at the right price|agency=BBC News|date=23 June 1998|access-date=17 July 2011}}</ref> 

Tussauds kept the castle in use mainly as a tourist attraction, while making extensive restorations to the castle and grounds. In twelve of the apartments open to tourists after the sale, wax figures of historic people are presented. Those depicted here were guests at a weekend party in 1898 hosted by Frances, Countess of Warwick; the principal guest was the Prince of Wales, later [[Edward VII]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.warwick-castle.com/explore/royal-weekend-party.aspx|title=Warwick Castle|website=Warwick Castle|access-date=20 July 2019}}</ref>

[[File:Warwick wax churchill 117.jpg|thumb|One of the groups of wax figures in the castle; Lord Brooke, a young Winston Churchill, and Spencer Cavendish]]

[[File:Warwick armor display 104.jpg|thumb|Display of armour and weaponry]]
The collection of armoury on display at Warwick Castle is regarded as second only to that of the [[Tower of London]].<ref>{{harvnb|Pettifer|1995|p=263}}</ref>
In 2001, Warwick Castle was named one of Britain's "Top 10 historic houses and monuments" by the British Tourist Authority; the list included [[Tower of London]], [[Stonehenge]], and [[Edinburgh Castle]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Open tourist attractions named|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/1251057.stm|agency=BBC News|date=30 March 2001|access-date=19 June 2008}}</ref> Warwick Castle was recognised as Britain's best castle by the ''Good Britain Guide 2003''.<ref>{{cite news|title=Guide praises Shropshire attractions|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2522213.stm|agency=BBC News|date=28 November 2002|access-date=19 June 2008}}</ref> Around this time it was getting more than half a million visitors a year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200102/cmselect/cmpubacc/359/35905.htm |title=The Renegotiation of the PFI-type Deal for the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds|publisher=Parliament.co.uk|date=12 December 2001|access-date=22 June 2011}}</ref>
[[File:Warwick Castle, Warwickshire, England, a popular tourist destination.jpg|thumb|Ethelfleda's Mound]]

In March 2007, the Tussauds Group sold the castle to the [[Blackstone Inc.]] investment firm,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/05/AR2007030501369.html|title=Blackstone Buys Madame Tussauds Chain|first=David|last=Cho|date=6 March 2007|access-date=2 December 2017|via=www.washingtonpost.com}}</ref> and the site was then operated by [[Merlin Entertainments]], a division of that Blackstone. In July of that year, Warwick Castle was sold again to the Prestbury Group<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6902797.stm|title=Alton Towers sold in £622m deal|date=17 July 2007|access-date=2 December 2017}}</ref> but it continued to be operated by Merlin under a renewable 35-year lease.<ref name="telegraph.co.uk"/>

===Seasonal exhibits===
Other tourist attractions include "Falconer's Quest'" (a bird show, featuring [[bald eagle]]s, [[vulture]]s, and [[sea eagle]]s),<ref>{{cite news|title=Bird of prey given learner plate|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/coventry_warwickshire/4145126.stm|agency=BBC News|date=12 August 2005|access-date=19 June 2008}}</ref> archery displays, Jousting,"The Trebuchet Show" and "The Sword in the Stone Show". The Castle is also home to "The Castle Dungeon", a live actor experience similar to that of "London Dungeons".  Warwick Castle is the subject of many ghost stories.<ref>{{cite book|year=1988|title='Ghosts have no feelings': A collection of ghost stories centred on Warwick Castle|publisher=Barbryn|isbn=0-906160-07-3}}</ref> One such instance is that of Fulke Greville who is said to haunt the Watergate Tower despite having been murdered in Holborn. The castle's reputation for being haunted is used as a tourist attraction with events such as "Warwick Ghosts Alive", a live-action show telling the story of Fulke Greville's murder.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ghosts alive at Warwick Castle|url=http://www.warwick-castle.co.uk/events/ghosts_alive.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090225135726/http://www.warwick-castle.co.uk/events/ghosts_alive.asp|archive-date=25 February 2009|publisher=WarwickCastle.co.uk|access-date=25 February 2009}}</ref> Musical events at the castle have included [[Carol (music)|carolling]], with performances by bands such as the [[Royal Spa Brass]].<ref>[http://www.leamingtoncourier.co.uk/news/local/carols_at_warwick_castle_1_1055998 "Carols at Warwick Castle"], ''Leamington Spa Courier'' (27 December 2007).</ref><ref>[http://www.leamingtoncourier.co.uk/lifestyle/entertainments/enjoy_warwick_castle_carols_on_saturday_1_1061470 "Enjoy Warwick Castle carols on Saturday"], ''Leamington Spa Courier'' (11 December 2008).</ref>

At times during Summer 2018, the castle offered its War of the Roses event with jousting and other action. On certain dates in August, Dragon Slayer evenings were scheduled, with dining, a projection light show, pyrotechnics, fire jousting and live action stunts.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.warwick-castle.com/events/events-at-warwick-castle.aspx|title=Warwick Castle|website=Warwick Castle|access-date=20 July 2019}}</ref>

{{wide image|2007-08-26-09095 GreatBritain Warwick.jpg|1000px|Warwick Castle as viewed from Ethelfleda's Mound in 2007.}}

===Heritage protection===
[[File:Warwick Castle Conservatory.jpg|thumb|The conservatory in 2017]]
The castle is protected against unauthorised change as a [[scheduled monument]]<ref name=pastscape>{{PastScape|mnumber=333577|mname=Warwick Castle|access-date=19 June 2008}}</ref> in recognition of its status as a "nationally important" [[archaeological site]] or historic building,<ref>{{cite web|title=Scheduled Monuments|url=https://historicengland.org.uk/advice/hpg/has/scheduledmonuments/|publisher=Historic England|access-date=12 June 2016}}</ref> and is a Grade I [[listed building]]<ref name="IoE">{{NHLE|desc=Warwick Castle|num=1364805|access-date=19 June 2008}}</ref> together with its boundary walls, stables, conservatory, mill and lodge.<ref name="IoE"/>

On 23 June 2006, a £20,000 stained glass window was damaged by teenage vandals and a ceremonial sword stolen, recovered soon after.<ref>{{cite news|title=Castle's ceremonial sword stolen|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/coventry_warwickshire/5154414.stm|agency=BBC News|date=6 July 2006|access-date=12 December 2012}}</ref>

===Warwick Castle trebuchet===
In June 2005, Warwick Castle became home to one of the world's largest working [[siege engine]]s. The [[trebuchet]] is {{convert|18|m|ft}} tall, made from over 300 pieces of oak and weighs {{convert|22|t|LT ST|1}}.<ref name="world record attempt">{{cite news|title=World record attempt for trebuchet|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-65118147|agency=BBC News|date=29 March 2023|access-date=25 October 2024}}</ref> It sits on the riverbank below the castle.

The machine was built with drawings from the Danish [[living history]] museum [[Middelaldercentret]], who, in 1989, were the first to recreate a fully functioning trebuchet.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archive.archaeology.org/online/interviews/vemming/index.html|title=Reconstructing Medieval Artillery|date=14 June 2005|publisher=Archaeological Institute of America|access-date=26 January 2014}}</ref> It was built in [[Wiltshire]] with expertise from the Danish museum.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.warwick-castle.com/explore-castle/the-mighty-trebuchet.aspx|title=The Mighty Trebuchet|publisher=warwick-castle.com|access-date=26 January 2014|archive-date=3 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130103085334/http://www.warwick-castle.com/explore-castle/the-mighty-trebuchet.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.middelaldercentret.dk/ommiddelaldercentret/blider.html|title=Blider|publisher=[[Middelaldercentret]]|access-date=26 January 2014|lang=da|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029203943/http://www.middelaldercentret.dk/ommiddelaldercentret/blider.html|archive-date=29 October 2013}}</ref>

The trebuchet takes eight men half an hour to load and release.<ref name="news.bbc.co.uk">{{cite news|title=Castle plans medieval war machine|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/4586483.stm|agency=BBC News|date=27 May 2005|access-date=19 June 2008}}</ref> The process involves four men running in {{convert|4|m|ft}} tall [[treadwheel]]s to lift the counterweight, weighing {{convert|6|t|LT ST|1}}, into the air. It is designed to be capable of hurling projectiles of up to {{convert|150|kg|lb}} distances of up to {{convert|300|m|ft}} and as high as {{convert|25|m|ft}}.<ref name="news.bbc.co.uk"/>

On 21 August 2006, the trebuchet claimed the record as the most powerful siege engine of its type when it sent a projectile weighing {{convert|13|kg|lb}} a distance of {{convert|249|m|ft}} at a speed of {{convert|195|km/h|mph}}, beating the previous record held by the trebuchet at Middelaldercentret in Denmark.<ref name="Coventry">{{cite news|url=https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/local-news/ursa-hurls-way-record-books-3123417|title=Ursa hurls its way into record books|last=Heath|first=Andrew|date=22 August 2006|newspaper=Coventry Telegraph|access-date=25 October 2024}}</ref>

On 10 April 2015 a thatched boathouse caught fire shortly after a burning cannonball was fired by the trebuchet.<ref name="BBC_32264914">{{cite news|title=Warwick Castle trebuchet fireball 'sparked boathouse blaze'|agency=[[BBC News]]|date=11 April 2015|access-date=11 April 2015|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-32264914}}</ref><ref name="Telegraph_2015-04-10">{{cite web|title=Warwick Castle cannonball show sets fire to historic boathouse|last=Harley|first=Nicola|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=10 April 2015|access-date=11 April 2015|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/11529201/Warwick-Castle-cannonball-show-sets-fire-to-medieval-boathouse.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150411011313/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/11529201/Warwick-Castle-cannonball-show-sets-fire-to-medieval-boathouse.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 April 2015}}</ref> It was reported that a spark from the cannonball had started the blaze<ref name="Telegraph_2015-04-10"/> although a castle spokeswoman said the cause had not yet been established.<ref name="BBC_32264914"/> Hundreds of tourists were evacuated from the castle,<ref name="Telegraph_2015-04-10"/> but the spokeswoman said they were not at any risk.<ref name="BBC_32264914"/><ref name="Telegraph_2015-04-10"/> ''The Daily Telegraph'' described the boathouse as "historic", "medieval" and dating to 1896, when the [[Francis Greville, 5th Earl of Warwick|5th Earl]] had it built to house an electric boat.<ref name="Telegraph_2015-04-10"/>

The trebuchet was decommissioned in 2020 due to safety concerns, and was deconstructed and replaced with a comparable trebuchet in 2023.<ref>{{cite web|title=What is the Mighty Trebuchet?|url=https://support.warwick-castle.com/hc/en-us/articles/360002073271-What-is-the-Mighty-Trebuchet-|website=Warwick Castle|access-date=28 November 2020|archive-date=28 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128132752/https://support.warwick-castle.com/hc/en-us/articles/360002073271-What-is-the-Mighty-Trebuchet-|url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref><ref name="BBC_2023-03-29">{{cite news|last=Copper|first=Liz|title=New trebuchet attraction installed at Warwick Castle|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-65099834|access-date=28 November 2023|agency=BBC News|date=29 March 2023}}</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Trebuchet at Warwick Castle, 2009.jpg|The Warwick Castle [[trebuchet]] is currently the largest one in the world (2009)
File:Warwick Castle trebuchet.jpg|It was reconstructed based on 13th-century drawings, and functions properly (2018)
File:Warwick Castle trebuchet - from the bank.webm|2012 demonstration of the Warwick Castle trebuchet (launch at 10:30)
File:WarwickCastleTrebuchet.jpg|Warwick Castle trebuchet from the rear (2010)
File:WarwickCastleTrebuchetCloseup.jpg|Close up of the walking cage on the trebuchet (2010)
</gallery>

==Layout==
[[File:Warwick Castle Plan.svg|upright=1.35|thumb|Plan of Warwick Castle]]

The current castle, built in stone during the reign of King Henry II, is on the same site as the earlier Norman motte-and-bailey castle. A [[keep]] used to stand on the motte which is on the south west of the site, although most of the structure now dates from the post-medieval period.{{sfn|Stephens|1969|pp=452–475}} In the 17th century the motte was landscaped with the addition of a path.<ref name="Jacques51">{{harvnb|Jacques|2001|p=51}}.</ref> The [[Ward (fortification)|bailey]] was incorporated into the new castle and is surrounded by stone curtain walls.{{sfn|Stephens|1969|pp=452–475}}

When Warwick Castle was rebuilt in the reign of King Henry II it had a new layout with the buildings against the curtain walls. The castle is surrounded by a dry moat on the northern side where there is no protection from the river or the old motte; the perimeter of the walls is {{convert|130|m|yd}} long by {{convert|82|m|yd}} wide.{{sfn|Stephens|1969|pp=452–475}} The two entrances to castle are in the north and west walls. There was originally a [[drawbridge]] over the moat in the north east. In the centre of the north west wall is a gateway with Clarence and Bears towers on either side; this is a 15th-century addition to the fortifications of the castle.{{sfn|Stephens|1969|pp=452–475}} The residential buildings line the eastern side of the castle, facing the River Avon. These buildings include the great hall, the library, bedrooms, and the chapel.{{sfn|Stephens|1969|pp=452–475}}

==Owners==
{{main|List of owners of Warwick Castle}}
Over its 950 years of history Warwick Castle has been owned by 36 different individuals, plus four periods as crown property under seven different monarchs. It was the family seat of three separate creations of the Earls of Warwick, and has been a family home for members of the Beaumont, Beauchamp, Neville, Plantagenet, Dudley and Greville families. The first creation of the Earldom specifically included the right of inheritance through the female line, so the castle three times had a woman (or girl) as the owner. Eleven of the owners were under 20 when they inherited, including a girl aged two and a boy aged three. At least three owners died in battle, two were executed and one murdered. Every century except the 21st has seen major building work or adaptations at the castle.

==Grounds, park, accommodations==
{{multiple image|width=240px|image1=Warwick Castle viewed from the Mill Garden.jpg|caption1=View of Warwick Castle from [[The Mill Garden]], which is privately owned, but open to the public|image2=Warwick Castle - Engine House, Waterwheel, Weir, and Old Castle Bridge.jpg|caption2=The water-powered engine room used for the generation of electricity from 1894 until 1940, built on the site of the former flour mill}}

Formal gardens belonging to Warwick Castle were first recorded in 1534.<ref name="pastscape gardens">{{PastScape|mnumber=1150800|mname=Castle Park|access-date=19 June 2008}}</ref> Landscaping in the 17th century added spiral paths to the castle motte during Fulke Greville's programme of restoration.{{sfn|Stephens|1969|pp=452–475}}<ref name="Jacques51"/> Francis Greville commissioned [[Capability Brown]] to re-landscape the castle grounds; he began working on the grounds and park in 1749 and had completed his work by 1757, having spent about £2,293 (£{{Formatprice|{{Inflation|UK|2293|1757|r=-4}}|0}} as of {{CURRENTISOYEAR}}).<ref>{{cite web|title=Read Capability Brown's Account Book Online|url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/education-learning/libraries-at-rhs/collections/library-online/capability-brown-account-book|access-date=11 May 2021}}</ref>{{Inflation-fn|UK|df=y}} on the project.<ref>{{harvnb|Jacques|2001|p=48}}</ref> The gardens cover {{convert|2.8|km2|acre}}.<ref name="pastscape gardens"/> [[Robert Marnock]] created formal gardens in the castle's grounds in 1868–69.<ref name="pastscape gardens"/>

Started in 1743 and originally known as Temple Park, Castle Park is located to the south of the castle. Its original name derived from the [[Knights Templar]], who used to own a [[manorialism|manor]] in Warwick. Houses around the perimeter of the park were demolished and the land they stood on incorporated into the park.{{sfn|Stephens|1969|pp=452–475}} Attempts to make profits from the park in the late 18th century included leasing it for grazing, growing wheat, and keeping sheep.{{sfn|Stephens|1969|pp=452–475}}

A water-powered mill in the castle grounds was probably built under Henry de Beaumont, 1st&nbsp;Earl of Warwick.{{sfn|Stephens|1969|pp=452–475}} By 1398 the mill had been relocated to just outside the eastern castle walls, on the west bank of the River Avon. Both mills were subject to flooding. By 1644, an engine house had been added to the mill.{{sfn|Stephens|1969|pp=452–475}} The mill was reused as an electricity generating plant after it had stopped being used to grind, but once Warwick Castle was fitted with [[mains electricity]] in 1940, the mill was no longer required and was dismantled in 1954.{{sfn|Stephens|1969|pp=452–475}}

The latest option at the castle is [[glamping]], overnight stays in nicely decorated tents in an area labelled Knight's Village. The units include no cooking facilities, so the fee for the stay includes a buffet dinner and a breakfast.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hamhigh.co.uk/things-to-do/knights-village-warwick-castle-travel-review-9172506|last=Galton|first=Bridget|title=Sleep like a Kingmaker at Warwick Castle|website=Ham & High|date=28 July 2022|access-date=25 October 2024}}</ref> The previously introduced accommodations in timber lodges also remain available in the Woodland Hideaway area.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.warwick-castle.com/short-breaks/accommodation/knights-village-lodges/|title=Your secret woodland hideaway|website=Merlin Entertainments|access-date=5 September 2022}}</ref>

==Incidents==

===Death of George Townley===
In December 2007, George Townley tripped and fell on a low section of the Bear and Clarence Bridge at Warwick Castle into a dry moat beneath. Mr Townley experienced a heart attack from the fall and died of a sustained head injury later in hospital.<ref name=":0">{{cite news|date=25 April 2012|title=Warwick Castle firm fined after man died falling into moat|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-17839398|access-date=18 October 2024|agency=BBC News}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite web|last1=McMahon|first1=RPC-Nick|last2=Dutta|first2=Mamata|date=28 September 2012|title=Fatality at Warwick Castle leads to penalties totalling £495k|url=https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=f8e40573-fa0d-4cd5-b89a-647415e9f92c|access-date=18 October 2024|website=Lexology}}</ref> The bridge had previously been identified as a risk. Merlin Attractions were unanimously found guilty of health and safety laws at Warwick Crown Court, and were ordered to pay £350,000 in fines and costs.<ref name=":0"/><ref name=":1"/> In response, the company indicated they would appeal the case.<ref name=":0"/>

==See also==
*[[Castles in Great Britain and Ireland]]
*[[Kenilworth Castle]]
*[[List of castles in England]]
*[[List of owners of Warwick Castle]]
*[[Old Castle Bridge]] - ruined medieval bridge adjacent to the castle

==References==
;Notes
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

;Bibliography
{{refbegin}}
*{{cite book|last1=Allison|first1=K. J.|last2=Dunning|first2=R. W.|last3=Jones|first3=S. R.|editor=Stephens, W. B.|contribution=The Borough of Warwick: Introduction|pages=417–451|title=A History of the County of Warwick: Volume 8: The City of Coventry and Borough of Warwick|publisher=[[Victoria County History]]|location=London|year=1969|isbn=0-19-722734-1}}
*{{cite book|last=Brown|first=R. Allen|year=2004|orig-year=1954|title=Allen Brown's English Castles |publisher=The Boydell Press|location=Woodbridge|edition=New}}
*{{cite journal|last=Buttery|first=David|date=July 1987|title=Canaletto at Warwick|journal=[[The Burlington Magazine]]|volume=129|issue=1012|pages=437–445|jstor=882921}}
*{{cite journal|last=Crouch|first=David|author-link=David Crouch (historian)|title=Geoffrey de Clinton and Roger, earl of Warwick: new men and magnates in the reign of Henry I|journal=Historical Research|volume=60|issue=132|pages=113–24|year=1982|doi=10.1111/j.1468-2281.1982.tb01151.x}}
*{{cite journal|last=Davis|first=H. W. C.|author-link=H. W. C. Davis|date=October 1903|title=The Anarchy of Stephen's Reign|journal=The English Historical Review|volume=18|issue=72|pages=630–641|doi=10.1093/ehr/XVIII.LXXII.630|url=https://zenodo.org/record/2444844 }}
*{{cite book|last=Friar|first=Stephen|year=2007|orig-year=2003|edition=Revised|title=The Sutton Companion to Castles|publisher=Sutton Publishing|isbn=978-0-7509-3994-2}}
*{{cite book|last1=Fuller|first1=Thomas|author-link1=Thomas Fuller|last2=Nuttall|first2=P. Austin|year=1840|title=The History of the Worthies of England|url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb__uIDAAAAQAAJ|page=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb__uIDAAAAQAAJ/page/n14 1]|quote=George Plantagenet execute.|publisher=[[Thomas Tegg]]}}
*{{cite book|last=Greville|first=Frances Evelyn Maynard|author-link=Daisy Greville, Countess of Warwick|year=1903|title=Warwick Castle and its earls from Saxon times to the present day|publisher=Hutchinson}}
*{{cite journal|last=Hamilton|first=J. S.|title=Piers Gaveston and the Royal Treasure|journal=Albion: A Quarterly Journal Concerned with British Studies|volume=23|issue=2|pages=201–07|date=Summer 1991|doi=10.2307/4050602|publisher=The North American Conference on British Studies|jstor=4050602}}
*{{cite journal|last=Harfield|first=C. G.|title=A Hand-list of Castles Recorded in the Domesday Book|journal=English Historical Review|volume=106|issue=419|year=1991|pages=371–392|jstor=573107|doi=10.1093/ehr/CVI.CCCCXIX.371}}
*{{cite book|last=Hyams|first=Edward|title=Capability Brown and Humphry Repton|year=1971|publisher=J M Dent & Sons|isbn=978-0-460-03809-6}}
*{{cite journal|last=Jacques|first=David|author-link=David Jacques|date=Summer 2001|title=Warwick Castle Grounds and Park, 1743–60 |journal=Garden History|volume=29|issue=1|pages=48–63|doi=10.2307/1587354|publisher=The Garden History Society|jstor=1587354}}
*{{cite book|last=Keightley|first=Thomas|author-link=Thomas Keightley|year=1839|title=The History of England|url=https://archive.org/details/historyengland01keiggoog|page=[https://archive.org/details/historyengland01keiggoog/page/n273 254]|quote=Piers Gaveston execution.|publisher=Whittaker and co|isbn=978-0-559-37870-6}}
*{{cite book|last=Liddiard|first=Robert|year=2005|title=Castles in Context: Power, Symbolism and Landscape, 1066 to 1500|publisher=Carnegie Publishing Ltd|isbn=0-9545575-2-2}}
*{{cite book|last=Mee|first=Arthur|year=1936|title=Warwickshire|series=The King's England|publisher=Hodder & Stoughton|isbn=978-1-872438-06-1}}
*{{cite book|last=Pettifer|first=Adrian|year=1995|title=English Castles: a Guide by Counties|publisher=The Boydell Press|isbn=0-85115-782-3|doi=10.1017/9781846152429}}
*{{cite book|editor-last=Potter|editor-first=K. R.|year=1955|title=Gesta Stephani&nbsp;– The Deeds of Stephen|publisher=Thomas Nelson}}
*{{cite book|last=Thornbury|first=Walter|author-link=George Walter Thornbury|contribution=Holborn: The northern tributaries|title=Old and New London: Volume 2 |year=1878|publisher=Cassell|url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=45121}}
*{{cite book|url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/source.aspx?pubid=49|editor-last=Stephens|editor-first=W. B.|publisher=Victoria County History|location=London|via=Institute of Historical Research|year=1969|title=A History of the County of Warwick: Volume 8: The City of Coventry and Borough of Warwick|access-date=18 May 2011}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Warwick Castle}}
*{{official|https://www.warwick-castle.com/}}
*[http://www.gatehouse-gazetteer.info/English%20sites/3557.html Bibliography of sources relating to Warwick Castle]
*[https://www.google.com/maps/views/view/102425036411967668848/photo/xVRAUa7mzx8AAAGur6IbzA Warwick Castle 360 degree virtual panoramic photograph by Visual360Media.com]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20141219101355/http://www.topiaryintheuk.co.uk/warwick.htm The Mill Garden, Warwick]

{{Merlin attractions}}
{{warwick district}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:1068 establishments in England]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1068]]
[[Category:11th-century fortifications]]
[[Category:Merlin Entertainments Group]]
[[Category:Castles in Warwickshire]]
[[Category:Gardens in Warwickshire]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Warwick]]
[[Category:Grade I listed buildings in Warwickshire]]
[[Category:Scheduled monuments in Warwickshire]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Warwickshire]]
[[Category:Historic house museums in Warwickshire]]
[[Category:William the Conqueror]]
[[Category:Greville family]]
[[Category:Gardens by Capability Brown]]
[[Category:Motte-and-bailey castles]]
[[Category:Warwick]]
[[Category:Grade I listed parks and gardens in Warwickshire]]
[[Category:John Dudley, 1st Duke of Northumberland]]
[[Category:George Plantagenet, Duke of Clarence]]
[[Category:Richard III of England]]