Helmsley Castle in North Yorkshire was established by the 1120s as the residence of Walter Espec within his Yorkshire estates. It continued to develop throughout the medieval period up until the 16th century when the medieval buildings were converted into a Tudor mansion. It remained a residence until the 18th century when it was relegated to a Gothic ruin in the grounds of Duncombe Park and came under the guardianship of English Heritage in 1984. This guidebook presents both a tour of the castle ruins, and a history of the people that lived there.