Richmond, North Yorkshire
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Richmond is a market town on the River Swale in North Yorkshire, England and is the administrative centre of the district of Richmondshire. Situated on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, it is a popular tourist destination,[citation needed] with a total population of 8970.
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[edit] History
[edit] Etymology
The town of Richemont in Normandy (now in the Seine-Maritime département, Haute-Normandie region) was the origin of the name Richmond. This Richmond was the eponymous fief of the Earls of Richmond (or comtes de Richemont), a dignity normally also held by the Duke of Brittany from 1136 to 1399.
[edit] Early history
Richmond was founded in 1071 by the Norman, Alan Rufus, on lands granted to him by William the Conqueror. Richmond Castle, completed in 1086, consisted of a keep with walls encompassing the area now known as the Market Place.
The constitutional ambiguity of Dukes of Brittany as vassals of both France (in right of Brittany) and England (in right of Richmond) was the source of much tension in Breton history, particularly during the great Breton War of Succession. Richmond was also the first title held by John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster, who began the House of Lancaster. Richmond was held perpetually by those with Lancastrian titles, until the 17th century when the Duke of Richmond was from the Lennox line in the Royal House of Stuart, also whose titles were linked intrinsically with the Auld Alliance. When this branch became extinct, the title was reconferred on an illegitimate son of Charles II, whose descendants continue to hold the title.
The prosperity of the medieval market town and centre of the Swaledale wool industry greatly increased in the late 17th and 18th centuries with the burgeoning lead mining industry in nearby Arkengarthdale. It is from this period that the town's attractive Georgian architecture originates, the most notable examples of which are to be found on Newbiggin and in Frenchgate.
[edit] Landmarks
Richmond Castle situated in the town centre overlooking the River Swale is a major tourist attraction. Based in the old Trinity Church in the centre of the town's market place is the Green Howards Regimental Museum. The town is also home to the Richmondshire Museum.
Richmond is also home to the Georgian Theatre, originally founded in 1788 by the actor, Samuel Butler. Although the decline in the fortunes of theatre led to its closure in 1848, the Georgian Theatre was restored and reopened in 1963, with a theatre museum added in 1979. More recently, the theatre has become the Georgian Theatre Royal and was extended in 2003.
[edit] Media and filmography
Richmond has been used as a filming location for a significant number of TV programmes & films including The Fast Show, Harry, Century Falls and All Creatures Great and Small amongst others.
Fresh Radio, the local radio station for the Yorkshire Dales, broadcasts programmes from studios in Richmond.
[edit] Education
The town is home to two secondary schools: Richmond School & St Francis Xavier School.
[edit] Transport
Richmond Railway Station opened in 1846 and closed in 1968, shortly before the railway line itself was taken out of service. The fine stone terminus, built in a Tudor/Elizabethan style, is being renovated by the Richmondshire Building Preservation Trust. It will re-open in late 2007 as a mixed-use space for community and commercial activities.
There have been many places around the world named Richmond after this town.
