Towering over the River Swale and the centre of the market town, Richmond Castle retains its dramatic strategic position it has held for over 900 years. Built by the Normans on this natural strong point, it controlled much of the north country as a fortress, barracks and prison after the Anglo-Saxon uprising and subsequent ’Harrying of the North’. The main keep was started by Conan the Little and finished by King Henry II. Today the remaining elements include the entrance barbican and the curtain walls with their towers. One of these is the Lion Tower which once held King William the Lion of Scotland after his defeat at Alnwick in 1174.