Pontefract Castle has had a long and colourful history since it was first built in the years following the Norman Conquest. It was frequently at the centre of national events, acting as fortress, temporary home for lords and kings and a centre of local administration. It was also a prison and armoury up to its demolition in 1649.
The first earth and timber motte and bailey castle was built by Ilbert de Lacy in the late 1080s. As a reward for his services to William the Conqueror, Ilbert received vast estates in Yorkshire.
Richard II was imprisoned and died at Pontefract. It is not known if he starved himself to death or left to starve by his captors. Other famous prisoners included James I of Scotland, and Charles Duc d'Orleans captured at the battle of Agincourt in 1415.
The castle continued to act as a royal base for military activities in times of unrest. During the Wars of the Roses it was sometimes used as a Lancastrian stronghold, as when in 1460 the Lancastrian army marched from Pontefract to the Battle of Wakefield.
The Duke of Gloucester, later Richard III, used Pontefract as one of his official residences. In 1483, during his usurpation of the throne, he had three of his political opponents executed in the castle.
During the Civil Wars Pontefract Castle was held for the King and underwent three sieges, during which the town suffered great damage. Siege coins were minted at the castle, which was the last remaining Royalist stronghold when it finally surrendered in 1649.
On the orders of Parliament the castle was so thoroughly demolished. A true picture of its strength and grandeur in its heyday can now only be seen in the fine 17th Century painting on display at Pontefract Museum. Later the bailey area was used for growing liquorice.
In 1882 Pontefract Corporation opened the castle as a public park after some excavation. The castle is now a scheduled ancient monument in the guardianship of Wakefield Council, although still the property of Her Majesty the Queen in right of her Duchy of Lancaster.
A programme of excavation and conservation was undertaken from 1981 - 1985 by The West Yorkshire Archaeology Service for the Pontefract Castle Conservation Committee.
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