MIDDLEHAM, a parish (formerly a market-town)
in the western division of the wapentake of HANG, North
riding of the county of YORK, 44 miles (N.W. by W )
from York, and 234 (N.N.W.) from London, containing
880 inhabitants. The name of this town is said to be
derived from its situation in the centre of a number of
hamlets. About the year 1190, a splendid castle was
built here by Robert Fitz-Ranulph, wherein, according
to Stow, Falconbridge, a partisan of Henry VI., was heheaded,
in 1471; though Speed says he was executed at
Southampton, Edward IV. was confined in this fortress
by the Earl of Warwick, but having escaped, he levied an
army, and obtained a decisive victory over his opponent,
who lost his life at the battle of Barnet. King Edward
subsequently gave the castle to his brother Richard,
Duke of Gloucester, whose only son Edward, afterwards
Prince of Wales, was born here. The remains of
this fabric stand upon a rocky eminence near the town 5
the ancient Norman keep is surrounded by a quadrangular
building, measuring two hundred and ten feet by
one hundred and seventy-five, and flanked by a square
tower at each angle. The constableship, now merely
a nominal office, is vested in the Duke of Leeds. The
town is situated ori a gentle eminence rising from the
river Ure: the houses are indifferently built, and the
streets are neither lighted nor paved, but the inhabitants
are well supplied with water from springs. About
half a mile from it is Middleham moor, a noted place
for training horses, either for the field or the race-,
course. Wool-combing affords employment to a few persons,
but the majority are employed in agriculture. The
market, now disused, was on Monday. Fairs are held on
Easter-Monday and Whit-Monday, and November 5th
and 6th, for live stock, &c. Two constables are appointed
at the court leet, which is held annually. The
petty sessions for the western division of the wapentake
of Hang are held here. The living forms a deanery
of itself, and is a royal peculiar, rated in the kings
books at £15. 9. 4., and in the patronage of the
Crown. The church, which is dedicated to St. Mary
and St. Alkeld, is a neat edifice, in the ancient style
of English architecture. It was made collegiate by
Richard III., when Duke of Gloucester, for a dean, six
chaplains, four clerks, and six choristers; the incumbent
retains the title of dean, and is installed with the
usual ceremonies; he possesses the power of proving
wills, and some other rights of ecclesiastical jurisdiction,
within his parish, together with a court, an official, and
a seal of office: but, owing to the peculiarity of his situation,
as being exempt from the jurisdiction of Dotn
ordinary and metropolitan, he is unable to give a title
for holy orders. There are places of worship for rri-
mitive and Wesleyan Methodists. A small sum was
given by William Tennant, in 1792, for the instruction
of poor children; and it is now in contemplation to
erect a National school.