Richmond is an attractive Georgian market town on the River Swale in North Yorkshire. Situated on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, it is a popular tourist destination.
The town of Richemont in Normandy (now in the Seine-Maritime département, Haute-Normandie region) was the origin of the name Richmond. This Richmond was the eponymous fief of the Earls of Richmond (or comtes de Richemont), a dignity normally also held by the Duke of Brittany from 1136 to 1399. The constitutional ambiguity of Dukes of Brittany as vassals of both France (in right of Brittany) and England (in right of Richmond) was the source of much tension in Breton history, particularly during the great Breton War of Succession. In the 17th century, the title of Duke of Richmond was given to a cadet branch of the ruling Stewart family, who also held the Scottish title of Duke of Lennox. When this branch became extinct, the title was reconferred on an illegitimate son of Charles II, whose descendants continue to hold the title.
Richmond Castle situated in the town centre overlooking the River Swale is a major tourist attraction.
Nearby towns and villages
History of Richmond links
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