Warwick, town (1991 pop. 21,701) and district, county seat of Warwickshire, central England, on the Avon River. The town has some commerce and manufacturing. Warwick is best known for Warwick Castle, located on the site of a fortress built by Æthelflæd, the daughter of King Alfred, in 915. The castle was begun in the 14th cent. and was converted into a mansion in the 17th cent. St. Mary's Church there dates partly from the 12th cent.; partially burned in 1694, it was redesigned by William Wilson, a pupil of Christopher Wren. The Beauchamp Chapel (1443–64) is noteworthy. In the church are a Norman crypt and monuments to Richard de Beauchamp, earl of Warwick, to his countess, and to Robert Dudley, earl of Leicester. Within the district, Royal Leamington Spa is a popular health resort.
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