Middleham
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Middleham is a small market town in Wensleydale, in the Yorkshire Dales. There has been a settlement there since the Romans were in Britain.
The village is dominated by the castle, which was started in 1190. The Nevilles acquired it through marriage in the 13th century and called it the "Windsor of the North". It was subsequently acquired by Richard III in 1471 and is where his son was born. This castle in now a ruin, after having been dismantled in 1646. The keep, which was built by Robert Fitz Ralph in the 1170s survives to this day along the 13th century chapel and the 14th century gatehouse. The Church of Saints Mary and Alkelda dates to the 14th century and boasts a 3 m high Perpendicular font cover.
Today the village is a modern centre of horse racing in the UK and is home to the Middleham Trainers' Association. The first racehorse trainer to train at Middleham was Isaac Cape in 1765. Today there are several racehorse trainers based here including Mark Johnston and Patrick Haslam. Racing is the number one employer in the town.
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