After the death of King Richard III the castle remained in royal hands until it was allowed to go to ruin in the 17th century.

After Richard's death at Bosworth in 1485 the castle was seized by Henry VII and remained in royal hands until the reign of James I, when it was sold.

[6] During the reign of Elizabeth I, the castle was proposed for full demolition by Lord Huntingdon and eventual conversion into a Manor House.

A simple rectangle in plan, the castle consists of a massive Norman keep surrounded by a later curtain wall, to which were then added extensive, palatial residential ranges.

The ground floor has two large, originally vaulted, chambers, and above are two grand halls surrounded by high windows.

A repaired spiral staircase leads up to the top of the south-east corner tower,[14] affording views of the surrounding town and countryside, including the original castle motte to the south-west.

[20] The 13th century curtain wall surrounds the keep concentrically, making the castle into a compact and effective defensive structure, though it was built more for comfort than security.

[21] In the 15th century the Nevilles constructed an impressive range of halls and outbuildings against these walls, turning the castle into a truly magnificent residence, fit for nobles of their stature.

Bridges at first-floor level were built to connect these to the keep, and the ceiling above the great hall was also raised, either to provide a clerestory or space for another chamber.