Sir Thomas Erpingham, Sir John Ramston, O thou bloody prison, 15 per person. From its construction in 1070 to its destruction after the Civil Wars, this once-fearsome fortress dominated Yorkshire and beyond, earning the nickname, "Key to the North". the house was once owned by the undertaker. I am un aware of the state of the tunnel (ie still insitu are blocked up).I will try and find more info on this. Pontefract Castle was once one of the biggest and most feared fortifications in Yorkshire. While I lived there it was renovated and became a restaurant called Manuel's, it then became Dawats and then a series of takeaways. Pontefract Races. Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps. Made in London. Origins of Pontefract Castle . . Turn left onto Southgate (A645), For car parking: Not usually open to the public, the keep gate is often connected with stories about secret tunnels leading to the castle. Thomas, son and heir to th Earl of Arundel, One of the most infamous moments in Pontefract Castles history came in 1399, when Henry IV, a Lancastrian, used it to imprison and murder the deposed king Richard II. Pontefract Castle keep. [3] It next went to Henry, Duke of Lancaster and subsequently to John of Gaunt, third son of King EdwardIII. Richard then shared some of the seized property around among his favourites. During their tenure they continued to improve the castle, upgrading the original motte and bailey structure with a more permanent and larger military fortress which the famous king Edward I described as the key to the north. A contemporary French chronicler suggested that Richard II had been hacked to death, but this is, according to the ODNB, "almost certainly fictitious". Pontefract Castle - History and Facts | History Hit This year there are the secret tunnels underneath Pontefract Castle, merchants' gardens in Bridlington, a coal host at Goole Docks, England's last nail forge and even Hull Prison Pontefract castle remained a Royal castle and over the centuries went through many transformations. Pontefract Castle Wakefield, England, United Kingdom Originally a Norman structure, Pontefract castle played an increasingly important role in English Royal history for over 500 years. Pontefract Castle was a symbol of royal power and dominance in northern England for almost 500 years. So what do we have in Pontefract? Yorkshire Post - This year there are the secret tunnels | Facebook Plate 1.42: Pontefract Castle Tue 05 Sep 2023, ON Rediscovering Richard III with Matt Lewis, Rome and the Amalfi Coast with Tristan Hughes, The Motte and Bailey Castles That William the Conqueror Brought to Britain, 10 Historic Sites Associated with Anne Boleyn, Viking Sites in Scotland: 5 Areas with Nordic History, 10 Historic Sites You Should Not Miss in 2023, Historic Sites Associated with Mary Queen of Scots, 10 Places to Explore World War Twos History in England, 10 Historic Sites Associated with Elizabeth I, Military Bunker Museums You Can Visit in England, The Duke of Wellington: Where History Happened. It was known then as Ilbert's Castle. Oliver Cromwell led a siege of the castle in 1648. Pontefract Castle, also known locally as Pontefract Castle Museum and Art Gallery, is a restored medieval castle in the town of Pontefract. It was besieged three times during the Civil War and having withstood the first siege in 1644 it had to surrender to Parliament after the second siege in 1645. I am interested in the history as my name is Pomfret. However, the castle was rapidly lost again this time to Richard of York after King Henry VI regained the throne. Information boards were great, dog friendly, cafe and gift shop onsite and so clean and tidy. Pontefract - Experience Wakefield THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Pontefract - 2023 (with Photos - 5:00 pm, Sunday : Sun 17 Sep 2023, ON document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. Summer Opening Hours (1 April 30 September): Dont miss the latest from Wakefield Museums and Castles. Other notable events said to have taken place here include the surrender of the castle to the Pilgrimage of Grace rebels who rose up against Henry VIII as well as being a setting for the infamous liaisons between Henrys fifth queen, Catherine Howard, and Thomas Culpeper. The castle is open daily from April to September. Castles varied in shapes and sizes throughout history with later kings and rulers adopting a "bigger is . This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Pontefract Castle - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go - Tripadvisor Pontefract Castle also played a major role in the English Civil War, acting as a Royalist stronghold. Sat 17 Jun 2023, Activity It was the site of a series of famous sieges during the 17th-century English Civil War. What lies beneath us? The Archaeology of Tunnels - Adults 18+ During the English Civil War it was the last Royalist fortress to surrender and underwent numerous sieges until Parliament, more specifically Oliver Cromwell, ordered its demolition following Charles Is execution. Pontefract Castle used to be one of the greatest castles in all of England. Marmaduke Langdale, 1st Baron Langdale of Holme, "3.5m Pontefract Castle restoration project grinds to a halt for a second time after scrapping of contractor", "Richard II (13671400), king of England and lord of Ireland, and duke of Aquitaine", Bibliography of sources related to Pontefract Castle, Siege money dated 1648, depicting Pontefract castle, Pontefract and District Girls High School, Pontefract and Castleford (UK Parliament constituency), Sir William Lowther, 1st Baronet, of Swillington, John Savile, 1st Baron Savile of Pontefract, George Wentworth (of Wentworth Woodhouse), Thomas Culpeper & Catherine Howard (1540), https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pontefract_Castle&oldid=1150803377, Buildings and structures in the City of Wakefield, Tourist attractions in the City of Wakefield, Wikipedia articles incorporating a citation from the ODNB, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 20 April 2023, at 07:22. Pontefract Castle - Britain's Castles Our only regret was that we didn't visit on a day when the dungeon tours take place. Performance [3] It was under the tenure of the de Lacys that the magnificent multilobate donjon was built.[2]. Mary, Queen of Scots was lodged at the castle on 28 January 1569, travelling between Wetherby and Rotherham. I've been in pontefract for a year now. King Henry VIII of England stayed at the castle arriving on 23 August 1541 during his summer royal progress of the North. Pontefract - Welcome to Yorkshire - 5:00 pm. Tue 05 Dec 2023 - brilliant experience. And, for more slander to thy dismal seat, With the accession of the Lancastrians to the throne, Pontefract quickly began to hold a key position in the north of England, growing in size and importance whilst other castles nearby dwindled. Wed 07 Jun 2023, ON Thank you for a lovely afternoon. [10] The castle was included in English jointure property of his wife, Anne of Denmark. Free entry Family friendly, Family Attraction Sat 06 May 2023. But when King Edward II was forced out of his kingdom in 1326, Edward III handed over control of one-third of all English castles to Roger Mortimer, one of his most trusted allies. The castle is a good example of a Norman fortress, and although it initially appears to be very small, it contains many features that were built for defence including a secret tunnel and escape-route. Click the link for further information and to secure your tickets now! Media. Did the Easter trail for the dragon egg. The castle is one of the finest examples of a Norman fortress in England. By the 16th century, it was so dilapidated that it was used as a source of stone to be used at nearby Fountains Abbey. That late broke from the Duke of Exeter, Pontefract Castle was a huge and magnificent castle in its' hey-day. Nearest train station: Monkhill/Baghill Railway Station, By Road: All these, well furnished by the Duke of Brittany Hi, 8.30am - 4.30pm Monday to Friday and 9.30am - 4.30pm Saturday and Sunday. Pontefract - Travel guide at Wikivoyage ON Heritage In the Civil Wars it withstood Cromwell's assaults but after surrendering was demolished to prevent future trouble. Sat 06 May 2023 - The outdoor food and music festival which brought riverside, sunset party vibes to Castleford is hosting 2 events on Saturday 10th June, Join Pontefract Castle for a FREE Heritage Open Day. On the eastern side of Pontefract town centre, Castle Garth, Pontefract, West Yorkshire WF8 1QH. Sign up to receive their eNewsletter here. A visit to the ruined Pontefract Castle gave me some clues. A beautiful castle in beautiful surroundings with some amazing views. With eight tall ships, three thousand men of war, Welcome to Pontefract. When my father was renovating the house he wanted to put a date on the side, we knew the house was built in the 1600's but did not have a specific year, so he made one up. Celebrate the Kings Coronation weekend at Pontefract Castle. During the siege, mining and artillery caused damage and the Piper Tower collapsed as a result. The first of three sieges began in December 1644 and continued until the following March when Marmaduke Langdale, 1st Baron Langdale of Holme arrived with Royalist reinforcements and the Parliamentarian army retreated. The Great Gate flanked by 14th-century semi-circular towers had inner and outer barbicans. bigpants Posts: 66 In 1265, Simon de Montfort (a nobleman and politician) took control of Pontefract Castle after King Henry III failed to support him during the Second Barons War. Onto the photos: The White House. Pontefract Castle used to be one of the greatest castles in all of England. Tour, Now - All contributors and available links to their work can be seen in the videos description.#adventureme #exploration #history #abandoned #pontefractcastle #pontefract #hiddenwell #secrettunnels #yorkshire I will be visiting the castle. Under The Keep of Pontefract Castle - Experience Wakefield Not usually open to the public the keep gate is often connected with stories about secret tunnels leading to the castle. Pontefract Castle Dungeon Tour - YouTube You learn so much about the past and the kings and queens and love going into the dungeons. the house was once owned by the undertaker. Built from the 1070s onwards, and at the tail end of a 3.5m refurbishment, the medieval keep was the site of multiple royal seizures . Sun 10 Sep 2023 - by bigpants Mon 12 Mar, 2007 8:13 pm, Post Discover Pontefract. according to a friends friend there is a tunnel that leads from a house in well lane Kippax across to the church yard some 300-500m in length. The stone curtain walls and towers were added in the 1170's and the three storey stone shell keep a few years later. Pontefract Castle Learn more about visiting Pontefract Castle, Key to the North! [15], Wakefield Council, who manage the site, commissioned William Anelay Ltd to begin repairs on the castle in September 2015, but work stopped in November 2016 when Anelay went into administration. A brief history of the castle | Pontefract Castle - DigVentures This course is about the kinds of use that tunnels are put to, but they are also an opportunity for you to bring your stories and tales of Pontefract.Booking is Essential. 105. Coordinates: .mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}534144N 11814W / 53.69556N 1.30389W / 53.69556; -1.30389 Pontefract Castle Built in 1070, Pontefract was an important medieval castle. Pontefract Castle: History and Photos - eHeritage UK Not knowing what to expect, I was pleasantly surprised at what a beautiful site Pontefract Castle is. Tue 04 Jul 2023, ON Tweets. Pontefract Castle (@PonteCastle) / Twitter Tweets & replies. Then thus: I have from Port Le Blanc, - 5:00 pm, Tuesday : Sunday 14th May 2023. The castle grounds and visitor centre is also available to hire for private functions. Pontefract Castle then became the primary residence for Mortimer and his wife Isabella after they were exiled by Edward II. Dogs on leads are welcome in the Castle, however at the moment they are not allowed in the activity center, the shop or the cafe. The land that now houses the remains of one of the most notorious castles in England was given to Ilbert de Lacy soon after the Norman Conquest of 1066AD. Pontefract Castle Dungeon Tour Wakefield Museums And Castles 351 subscribers Subscribe 523 Share 33K views 4 years ago PONTEFRACT Come with us on a tour of Pontefract Castle's chilling. Pontefract has a history rife with famous prisoners Richard II, James I of Scotland and Charles Duke of Orleans were all imprisoned at different times in one of the castles many dungeons. The Council then engaged Heritage Building & Conservation (North) Ltd, who began work on the site in March 2017. Discover the relationship between friends and enemies, Pontefract, Its great to receive a thoughtful gift packaged in handmade, Start your Christmas preparations early and create a simple, Evoke memories of Christmas past and create your own natural, aromatic, Be inspired by the castle and its natural environment to paint a beautiful silk scarf. Initially the castle was a wooden structure which was replaced with stone over time. It was subsequently destroyed by cannon fire and fell into disrepair. Effectively, it was a concentric castle design. Sat 06 May 2023 - - Italian Steakhouse Vegetarian Friendly, - Mediterranean Turkish Greek. It stands in the town of Pontefract, in West Yorkshire, England. Talk, ON It was in this year that popular belief has it that the famous Yorkshire Rose badge of Edward IV (the Yorkist king) was popularised. I've noticed there are some events here and I will be booking. Discover the most fascinating English Civil War battlefields, monuments and sites, from Edgehill to Corfe Castle and more. Tue 09 May 2023, ON 99% of travellers recommend this experience. Ben explained the way to get there on foot and where the monument was and also informed us about the Museum in the town. Workshop, ON Much to the joy of the locals, it was destroyed after the Civil War and lay derelict for many years. By Alexander Keirincx Art UK, Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons. . During the 18th century the site was used for farming, but it was then landscaped into a romantic ruin with gardens in 1880. 1978 to 1990 I lived in the house at 4 Leeds Road, the one referred to above as the second oldest house in Kippax. Pontefract Castle is a scheduled ancient monument in the guardianship of Wakefield District Council although it is still the property of Her Majesty the Queen as part of the Duchy of Lancaster . Tap & Barrel Pontefract. We show you around the Castle Grounds, exploring all the remains and. Under the Keep of Pontefract Castle - Heritage Open Days What restaurants are near Pontefract Castle? In the library, an upset girl is seen; in the alcove, a vicar or priest likes to appear; in the tunnels, a nurse frequently shows up (said to be the most commonly . Venue. Sat 10 Jun 2023 - This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. [11], Royalists controlled Pontefract Castle at the start of the English Civil War. Pontefract Castle was a key strategic military stronghold in Northern England which played a crucial role in many of the countrys most bitter conflicts for over five hundred years. - 5:00 pm, Thursday : Icon of 1960s Britain: Who Was Mary Quant? Sun 16 Jul 2023 - A large scale upgrade and expansion that had been commissioned by John of Gaunt in 1374, was completed at some point in the fifteenth Century and Pontefract gained the nickname 'key to the North' due to its huge strength and scale. During its life the castle was rebuilt and added to as the castle fulfilled different functions; acting as a fortress, a royal castle, a centre of local administration, a prison and an armoury. Ill get me torch and hammer and chisel and be round at yours in 10 mins!! Youll find awesome displays along with some of the fascinating objects found at the castle from centuries gone by. according to a friends friend there is a tunnel that leads from a house in well lane Kippax across to the church yard some 300-500m in length. Entrance to the castle is FREE, we look forward to seeing you soon! King RichardII is thought to have died there. This resulted in the earl becoming a martyr with his tomb at Pontefract Priory becoming a shrine. Pontefract Castle - Wikipedia If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Book Now. Within the guilty closure of thy walls If you enjoyed this article you might also like to read about: Hi, my name is Amy and I am a UK based teacher and blogger. Very interesting place, well kept and beautiful views. Pontefract (or Pomfret) Castle is a castle ruin in the town of Pontefract, in West Yorkshire, England. Join Pontefract Castle for a special Heritage Open Day tour under the keep of the castle! Known as the Swillington Tower, the detached tower was attached to the north wall by a bridge. 8:30 am [6], Richard III had two relatives of Elizabeth Woodville beheaded at Pontefract Castle on 25 June 1483 her son, Sir Richard Grey, and her brother, Anthony Woodville, 2nd Earl Rivers.[7]. In 1489, Pontefract Castle was besieged by Henry VII (who had become king after Richard III was killed, in battle). He also is said to have given them a white rose each to show that they had fought bravely. It is free to enter, in the care of Wakefield Council, and there is more to see than at some Engkish Heritage castles. The ruins of Pontefract Castle's keep In the closing years of the 14th century, Richard II banished John of Gaunt's son Henry Bolingbroke, Duke of Hereford, from England. Explore with us the beauty and rich history of West Yorkshire. When the Lancastrian army surrendered, however, Edward was forced to let them go free and he showed them mercy, painting his rose a red colour. In the closing years of the 14th century, Richard II banished John of Gaunts son Henry Bolingbroke, Duke of Hereford, from England. Is it suitable for disabled wheelchair user. I am un aware of the state of the tunnel (ie still insitu are blocked up).I will try and find more info on this.