Location:  Town of Warwick, Warwickshire, on the River Avon Date completed: Originally 1068, frequently modified thereafter Designers/builder: William the Conqueror Function: Former Stronghold, now an entertainment complex

Many people today know Warwick Castle as an historic attraction, with a host of medieval-themed events and displays, including the world's most powerful trebuchet (siege catapult), the Flight of the Eagles, Jousting tournaments and archery displays. The more scholarly might associate it with Richard Neville, known as "Kingmaker" during the Wars of the Roses and characterised by Shakespeare's Queen Margaret (wife of Henry VI) as:

"Peace! Impudent and shameless Warwick, peace;
Proud setter up and puller down of kings. "

Warwick organised the removal of Henry VI in favour of Edward IV and later the removal of Edward IV in favour of Henry VI. Warwick was himself killed in 1471 at the Battle of Barnet and his castle seized by the victor, Edward IV.  Edward gave the castle to his brother George, Duke of Clarence, who was himself executed in 1478 for plotting against the king. His son took the title and the castle, but was executed in 1499 by Henry VII, for supporting the pretender, Perkin Warbeck. In 1604 James I granted the castle to Fulke Greville who, continuing the unfortunate trend of Warwick Castle occupants, was murdered by a manservant in 1628. His ghost is said to haunt the premises. The Castle had become dilapidated but in the 1640s its defences were hastily restored in preparation for the civil war between Parliament and the Crown. Robert Greville supported Parliament and in 1642 Royalists unsuccessfully besieged the castle.  Increasingly, Warwick Castle was converted from a fortification to a country house and from 1749 Capability Brown redesigned and relaid the gardens. In 1759 the 5th Baron Brook, Francis Greville, was granted the defunct earldom of Warwick.
 
Warwick Castle was originally built by William the Conqueror in 1068 and in 1088 Henry de Beaumont was appointed the first Earl of Warwick. From then on the castle was progressively extended and strengthened, changing hands frequently, unusually sometime through the female line. It was home to the Beaumont, Beauchamp, Neville, Plantagenet, Dudley and Greville families. In 1978 the Tussaud Group purchased the Castle and have since steadily expanded and enhanced the visitor attractions.