The views from the castle are very good (see last two photos posted), but the remains themselves are fairly modest. Some of what remains is in poor condition, and there is a major scheme to make safe and stabalise what remains.
This shot shows the mound where the remains of the keep are, and the netting and metal fences show restoration work in progress.
The castle was constructed in approximately 1070 by Ilbert de Lacy, on land which had been granted to him by William the Conqueror as a reward for his support during the Norman Conquest. It was originally made of wood, and it took many years before a stone castle was complete.
It is believed that King Richard II (1367–1400) was murdered within the castle. Later, it was the setting for one part of the Pilgrimage of Grace, a Catholic rebellion from northern England against the rule of King Henry VIII.
It was held as a Royalist stronghold during the English Civil War and besieged at least three times by Parliamentarian forces, the latter being responsible for the castle's present dilapidated state and many of its scars. Pontefract Castle was noted by Oliver Cromwell, leader of the Parliamentarians, as "..one of the strongest inland garrisons in the kingdom". Following it's final surrender, much of the castle was destroyed, and for several centuries the remains were left to decay.
The local council now own the site, and have recently received grants from a variety of sources to enable the current work programme to take place.
Thank you all for your lovely comments - I'm pleased that you are enjoying these historical visits with me! I think I need to visit Pontefract Castle again when the restoration work is completed. The remains are quite limited, but it would be good to have a proper close-up look at the areas currently closed off.
Ian
May 7th, 2016
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Thank you all for your lovely comments - I'm pleased that you are enjoying these historical visits with me! I think I need to visit Pontefract Castle again when the restoration work is completed. The remains are quite limited, but it would be good to have a proper close-up look at the areas currently closed off.
Ian