Richmond

The place-name Richmond can be ambiguous in the UK. There are many name-sakes in countries of the formner British Empire, of which the most important is the state capital of Virginia. (There are over twenty Richmonds in the USA.)

• The oldest Richmond is that in North Yorkshire, which was founded in 1071 (after the Norman Conquest) by Alan Rufus, one of the Conqueror's Breton companions, lord of Richemont in Normandy. Alan began the building of Richmond Castle, near Catterick, in 1071. He was known as the first Lord of Richmond. This honour was raised to that of the Earldom of Richmond during Alan's tenure. The earldom was held by various Breton and later English peers, until it was absorbed into the crown under John of Lancaster, Duke of Bedford (Henry V's brother), from 1414.

A song, 'The Lass of Richmond Hill' (McNally and Hook) was written about the Richmond in North Yorkshire.

• In 1453, the title of Earl of Richmond was held by Edmund Tudor (1431-1456), and after him by his son Henry, who ceased to use it after he took the throne as Henry VII in 1485. His accession included the transfer of title of various properties, including that of Sheen (or Shene or OE scēon, 'sheds', 'shelters'), known as the site of the royal palace of Sheen, used by Edward III and Henry V. This had had a bad fire in 1497. Henry VII rebuilt it, naming it after his previous title Richmond Palace. It was frequently used by Queens Mary and Elizabeth, the latter of whom died there. It gave its name to the settlement known formerly as Sheen (Shene) or West Sheen. (There are still areas called East Sheen and North Sheen.) Richmond is formally the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, and less formally as Richmond upon Thames.

The Richmond Hill in London is famous for its landscape view, often painted. It is the only landscape to be protected by law - the Richmond, Ham and Petersham Open Spaces Act of 1902. (This is not where the 'Lass' lives.)

• Richmond Virginia is the capital of its state, the Commonwealth of Virginia. During the American Civil War, Richmond was the capital of the Confederate States of America - 'The South' - which had rebelled against Lincoln's government. The Confederate President, Jefferson Davis. lived and ruled in Richmond.

Richmond in Virginia was so named because its situation on a bend of the James River reminded its founder, William Byrd II, of the situation of Richmond on the River Thames.