The market town and civil parish of Richmond is located in North Yorkshire, England on the River Swale. It is an administrative center for the district of Richmonshire. It is a popular tourist spot because of its location on the edge of Yorkshire Dales National Park. The name comes from a Normandy town called Richemont.
Alan Rufus, a Norman, founded the town in 1071 with land given to him by William the Conqueror. He had Richmond Castle built and it was completed in 1086. It included a keep with walls that enclosed the area and are now the present day Market Place. Henry the VII was willed the town by Francis II, the Duke of Brittany. Henry VII's grandson Henry FitzRoy was named first Duke of Richmond and Somerset distinguishing it from junior status as a county.
The local town's people opposed the inclusion of Richmond in to the royal body politic of England for over a century, with many plots and rebellions, but they finalyl cracked in the Civil War period. After this the Lords Baltimore retreat in to Ireland and the America's for religious freedom. In the 17th and 18th Centuries the town prospered with its medieval market and Swaledale wool industry mostly due to the booming lead mining industry in near by Arkengarthdale. It was during this time that the town's Georgian architecture came from with Newbiggin and in Frenchgate having the most notable pieces.
Richmond Castle was taken over by the Covenanter Army led by David Leslie, Lord Newark during the English Civil War. The castle over looks the River Swale and is a major attraction for visitors. The old Trinity Church has the Green Howards Regimental Museum and is located in the middle of the market place. The town also has another museum called Richmondshire Museum. In 1788 actor Samuel Butler founded the Georgian Theatre which was closed in 1848 due to a funding shortage. It was later reopened in 1963 and restored. In 1979 a museum was added on. In 2003 it was renamed the Georgian Theatre Royal and a new block that provides access and services was added next to the original auditorium.
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