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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Warwick
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(22,000 in 1991) Ancient town on the river Avon; administrative centre of Warwickshire. It is believed that Ethelfleda, a daughter of *Alfred the Great, built a wooden fortress here against the *Danes in about 915. Certainly the early *Normans were able to enlarge an existing castle. The exterior of the present building, rising sheer from the river and with two impressive towers (Caesar's Tower and Guy's Tower) dates from the 14C, not long before this was the stronghold of *Warwick the Kingmaker. But the comfortable rooms inside the castle, giving on to a grassy courtyard, are of the 17–19C and are filled with treasures brought back from the *Grand Tour.
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Though the town of Warwick was much damaged by a fire in 1694, a few medieval buildings survive. The Leycester Hospital occupies premises built in the 14–15C for religious guilds; since 1571 it has been an almshouse for 12 old soldiers, founded by Elizabeth's favourite, the earl of Leicester. His tomb and the elaborate Beauchamp Chapel (1443–64) are at the east end of St Mary's, the only part of Warwick's oldest church to have escaped the fire.
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