The Kingmaker’s Daughter by Philippa Gregory is the story of Anne Neville, daughter of Richard Neville, otherwise known as the “Kingmaker”, and briefly the wife of King Richard III. A repeated theme throughout the story is the threat posed by the Queen Consort Elizabeth Woodville, arch enemy of Richard Nevill, who is suspected of poisoning those close to Anne, To get away from this threat, Anne repeatedly decamps to her home in the north at Middleham Castle in Yorkshire.
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| MiddlehamCJW. Photo by CJW, via Wikimedia Commons. |
Middleham Castle lies in the village of Middleham, a short distance south of Leyburn in Wensleydale. Building of the castle started in 1190, and from 1270 it was taken over by the Neville family.. The “Kingmaker” and his family occupied the castle in the 15th century, and the future King Richard III went to live there for a time in his younger years, then when he married Anne Neville they made it their home. The castle is now managed by English Heritage, and there is an entrance fee to visit.
