a market-town and parliamentary borough of Yorkshire, W. Riding, 18 miles W. by N. of York. It is finely situated on a rocky slope on the left bank of the Nidd, which is crossed by two bridges, and is well built, chiefly of stone, with good streets, and a spacious market-place. It contains a handsome old Gothic church, a free grammar school, and a literary institute, with a small library. Its manufactures of cotton and linen have greatly declined. The borough has returned two members to parliament since 1558; constituency (1856) 222, Pop. (1851) 5536. Knaresborough Castle, now in ruins, was founded in 1170 by Serlo de Burgh; it was a fortress of great strength. On the opposite bank of the river is the "Dropping Well," a petrifying spring. Further down the valley are several objects of antiquarian interest, among them is St Robert's Cave, the scene of the murder by Eugene Aram, who was a schoolmaster in the town.