Warwick Castle, a magnificent medieval fortress in Warwickshire, England, has a rich and captivating history that spans over 950 years. The castle has been owned by 36 different individuals, including members of the Beaumont, Beauchamp, Neville, Plantagenet, Dudley, and Greville families, as well as four periods as crown property under seven different monarchs.
The Earldom of Warwick and Its Owners
The Earldom of Warwick was first created in 1088, and the title has been held by three separate creations over the centuries. Interestingly, the first creation of the Earldom specifically included the right of inheritance through the female line, which means that the castle three times had a woman (or girl) as the owner.
| Owner | Tenure |
|---|---|
| William the Conqueror | 1068 |
| Henry de Beaumont, 1st Earl of Warwick | 1088-1119 |
| Roger de Beaumont, 2nd Earl of Warwick | 1119-1153 |
| Waleran de Beaumont, 3rd Earl of Warwick | 1153-1184 |
| William de Beaumont, 4th Earl of Warwick | 1184-1204 |
| Margaret de Beaumont, 5th Countess of Warwick | 1204-1253 |
| William de Beaumont, 6th Earl of Warwick | 1253-1268 |
| William de Beaumont, 7th Earl of Warwick | 1268-1298 |
Owners Under the Age of 20
Another fascinating aspect of Warwick Castle’s history is that at least eleven of the owners were under the age of 20 when they inherited the castle, including a girl aged two and a boy aged three. This highlights the complex and often tumultuous nature of inheritance during the medieval and early modern periods.
Tragic Fates of Some Owners
Tragically, at least three of the castle’s owners died in battle, two were executed, and one was murdered. These events underscore the volatile political and social climate that often surrounded the ownership of such a prestigious and strategically important fortress.
The Greville Family and the Castle’s Sale
In 1967, Charles Greville, the 7th Earl of Warwick, transferred the castle and other estates to his son and heir, Lord Brooke. However, in 1978, Lord Brooke sold the castle to the Tussauds Group for £1,300,000, causing a public confrontation between father and son. The Greville family had owned the castle for 374 years, making this a significant event in the castle’s history.
Warwick Castle Today
Today, Warwick Castle is owned by the Tussauds Group, a subsidiary of Merlin Entertainments. It is open to the public as a tourist attraction, offering visitors the opportunity to learn about the castle’s rich history and admire its impressive architecture and collection of armory, which is regarded as second only to that of the Tower of London.
In conclusion, the owners of Warwick Castle have played a crucial role in shaping the castle’s history and legacy. From the powerful Earls of Warwick to the Greville family and the current owners, the castle has witnessed a captivating and often tumultuous journey through the centuries.
References:
– Warwick Castle – Its History & Owners. Plus How To Stay There, England Explore, https://englandexplore.com/warwick-castle/
– Warwick Castle, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warwick_Castle
– List of owners of Warwick Castle, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_owners_of_Warwick_Castle
– Earls of Warwick, Warwick Castle, https://www.warwick-castle.com/about/history/earls-of-warwick/.