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  1. Home
  2. Medieval Places
  3. Pontefract Castle
Castle
Castle
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Pontefract Castle

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 County

West Yorkshire (2 castles) 

 Categories

Motte & Bailey / Stone

 Remains

Small amount survives

 Access

Only open at certain times

 Location53.696,-1.3048 (Google Maps) DirectionsDirections via Google Maps
 County

West Yorkshire (2 castles) 

 Categories

Motte & Bailey / Stone

 Remains

Small amount survives

 Access

Only open at certain times

 Location
53.696,-1.3048
 Directions
Directions via Google Maps
ontefract Castle is located in the town of Pontefract in West Yorkshire to the east of Leeds. It is most famous for being the place that Richard II, the King of England, was murdered in 1400. Originally a Saxon fort, the castle was redeveloped by the Normans after the Conquest. Only the motte and low sections of the walls remain of what once a very large and imposing structure. The most secure part of the castle was the keep located in the south-west corner. Known as the Round Tower it was quatrefoil in shape, having four lobes surrounding a circular interior. More towers were constructed around the curtain walls, including the Piper, Gascoigne, Constable, Queen's and King's Towers. The entrance to the castle was via a large gatehouse on the southern side. This gatehouse was protected by a large barbican forcing any would-be attackers out into the open if they approached. At the western side of the barbican was a large square tower. Within the castle's bailey stood many buildings including a hall and chapel.

Pontefract Castle became the property of Thomas, Earl of Lancaster due to his marriage to Alice de Lacy, the daughter of Henry de Lacy. This was at the time when King Edward II was opposed by the barons because of the his obsession with his favourite Piers Gaveston. In 1312 Gaveston was executed by the barons and Lancaster soon afterwards effectively ruled England. At the Battle of Boroughbridge Lancaster was defeated and captured by Edward's army and taken back to Pontefract Castle and executed outside its walls. In 1362, John of Gaunt the son of King Edward III became the Earl of Lancaster due to his marriage a few years earlier to Blanche of Lancaster and became the owner of Pontefract Castle. In 1400 Pontefract Castle was the prison for King Richard II and is thought to be where he was murdered. In 1536, during the reign of King Henry VIII, the castle became the base for an uprising known as the Pilgrimage of Grace. The rebels were unhappy with the King's religious interference.

The castle's final important moment in history came during English Civil wars when it was captured by Parliamentarian troops and orders were given to destroy it.

Location

See Also

People

  • Henry (IV, King of England 1399-1413)
  • Woodville, Anthony (Earl Rivers)
  • Thomas (Earl of Lancaster)
  • A .. Z List of Medieval People

Related Information

  • Why build and live in castles
  • Castle development timeline
  • Keep and bailey castles
  • Castles of William the Conqueror
  • Motte and bailey castles
  • Shell-Keeps
  • Square keeps
  • Polygonal Keeps
  • Castles of Edward I
  • Parts of a castle
  • Location of lots of castles
  • Castle construction timeline

Related Maps

  • Map of Castles

Related Episodes

Wars of the Roses Phase Four (click here)

Wars of the Roses Phase Four (click here)

Timeline

1311

...

Lancaster's marriage provides more power

The marriage of Thomas, Earl of Lancaster to Alice de Lacy, the heiress of the of the powerful Henry de Lacy, gave the Earl even more titles and properties. One of these properties was Pontefract Castle in Yorkshire.

1321

May 24

Meeting at Pontefract

Thomas, Earl of Lancester held the first of two meetings to gather support of Barons and the clergy to remove the Despensers from power. The second meeting at Sherborn-in-Elmet near York was held on June 28th. ¹

1322

Quarter 1

Edward attacks the Marcher Lords

Edward advanced up the Severn Valley and crossed the river at Shrewsbury. Several of the Marcher Lords surrendered to the King without a fight. Lancaster had moved to his base at Pontefract. The King took time to take control the castles belonging to the Marcher Lords. ¹

1322

March 16

Battle of Boroughbridge

Lancaster left his base at Pontract and headed north. At the bridge crossing the river Ure at Boroughbridge he was halted by an army led by Andrew Harcley, the Earl of Carlisle. Harcley held the bridge against Lancaster's attacks and Lancaster was forced to surrender. Lancaster was taken back to Pontefract Castle where Edward had taken control.

1322

March 22

Lancaster Executed

Edward finally had his revenge for the death of Gaveston when Thomas, the Earl of Lancaster, was executed outside the walls of Pontefract Castle. ¹

1399

August

Richard is captured

Richard returned to England landing in Wales. Richard was captured at Conwy Castle and was moved to Pontefract Castle where he was imprisoned. ¹

1400

February

Death of Richard II

King Richard II died some time between the 9th and 17th of February 1400 while being imprisoned at Pontefract Castle. The cause of his death is not known. He died at the age of 33. ¹

1483

June 25

Earl Rivers is executed

To secure his position, Richard Duke of Gloucester had several members of Elizabeth Woodville's family arrested, including Anthony Woodville, her brother and Richard Grey, a son from her previous marriage to Sir John Grey. Both were taken to Pontefract Castle where they were executed.

1536

October 21

Pilgrimage of Grace

A large rebellion began in north in Yorkshire following those in Lincolnshire. Known as The Pilgrimage of Grace this rebellion again protested against the unpopular policies and advisers of King Henry VIII. They wanted Henry to put a stop to the dissolution of the monasteries and the removal of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Cranmer and Henry's adviser Thomas Cromwell. The leader of the rebellion was Robert Aske, a lawyer and excellent organiser. Somewhere between 30,000 and 35,000 rebels were involved and they took control of Pontefract Castle which fell to them without any resistance.

1536

December

Rebels list demands

At Pontefract the rebel leaders presented a list of demands. The rebels were assured of free pardons.

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Medieval people

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Selection of references used:

  • 1. Caroline Bingham, The Life and Times of Edward II
  • 2. Peter Earle, The Life and Times of Henry V
  • 3. Michael Senior, The Life and Times of Richard II, 1981

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    Location

    See Also

    People

    • Henry (IV, King of England 1399-1413)
    • Woodville, Anthony (Earl Rivers)
    • Thomas (Earl of Lancaster)
    • A .. Z List of Medieval People

    Related Information

    • Why build and live in castles
    • Castle development timeline
    • Keep and bailey castles
    • Castles of William the Conqueror
    • Motte and bailey castles
    • Shell-Keeps
    • Square keeps
    • Polygonal Keeps
    • Castles of Edward I
    • Parts of a castle
    • Location of lots of castles
    • Castle construction timeline

    Related Maps

    • Map of Castles

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