The ancient parish church of Pontefract.
Present building 13-15th century.
Ruined in 1645 during Civil War.
Tower and Transept restored 1831.
New nave 1967.
Noted for double helix staircase.
Sketched by Turner. — — Map (db m276484) HM
Founded in 1080 this church was under the authority of the monks
of St. John's Cluniac Priory.
• If you walk round this memorial cross, you will read the names of two Barnbow lasses who died in an explosion at the munitions factory.
• . . . — — Map (db m276669) HM
Erected in 1734 to shelter people selling dairy produce. Replaced pre-Conquest St Oswald's Cross. Posthumous gift of Solomon Dupeer. Tradition asserts that Solomon Dupeer was responsible for betraying Gibraltar to the British in 1704. 18th century . . . — — Map (db m277775) HM
'(The castle) is very well known as one of the strongest inland Garrisons in the Kingdom... The walls are very thick and high, with strong towers; and if battered, very difficult of access, by reason of the depth and steepness of the graft' -- . . . — — Map (db m276718) HM
Pontefract Castle's defences weren't seriously tested until the Civil Wars, when it suffered some damage. But the castle's prominent position prevented attackers from gaining entry... the conventional way.
When Royalist Colonel, John Morris, . . . — — Map (db m276717) HM
Liquorice was cultivated from the early 19th century, here within the inner Bailey of Pontefract Castle and the leaves in this illustration have been used to carry the names of the many herbs which would have grown alongside it in the medieval herb . . . — — Map (db m276716) HM
Pontefract's Market Place has been the thriving commercial heart of the town since medieval times, with a trading tradition dating back 800 years.
Medieval market town
In 1194, a market charter granted Pontefract the right to a weekly . . . — — Map (db m277774) HM
Pontefract Castle was one of the most important castles in England when Edward I (1239-1307) proclaimed, "He who holds Pontefract, holds the key to the North". The castle's importance continued to grow, especially under the ownership of John of . . . — — Map (db m279462) HM
Archaeological excavations in 1985-6 uncovered several layers of Christian burials and the footprint of the church you see before you.
This is the artist's impression of the Anglo-Saxon Church of Kirkebi mentioned in the Domesday book which . . . — — Map (db m276713) HM
Liquorice has probably been grown in the Friarwood Valley since the time of the Black Friars who occupied this site from 1256-1538. Four generations of the Keighley family grew liquorice here in the 19th and 20th centuries, where the Rose Garden and . . . — — Map (db m276861) HM
Liquorice is a herbaceous perennial, losing its leaves in winter. It is grown for its roots which can grow to a depth of 6 feet and are harvested in the autumn every 4 to 6 years. When dried the roots are cut up into short sticks like these. Roman . . . — — Map (db m276862) HM
This was the Constable Tower, a large, square tower with thick walls projecting six metres beyond the curtain wall. The garderobe (toilet) shaft within the left hand wall emptied straight into the outer ditch - an extra deterrent for would-be . . . — — Map (db m279464) HM
It was here that Thomas of Lancaster was condemned to death by his cousin Edward II in 1322.
Spared being drawn and quartered, Thomas was beheaded for treason outside the walls of his own castle. Shortly afterwards Thomas was locally honoured . . . — — Map (db m279460) HM
This is the site of Peter and Fred Asquith's first supermarket. From the success of this store they went on to become co-founding fathers of the national retailer ASDA, which later merged with Walmart, the world's largest retailer. — — Map (db m276673) HM
Can you see the pink stonework? This burnt stone shows where the fires and ovens were located in the Great Kitchens. During the Civil Wars the large ovens were adapted for metalworking. They were used to repair armour and weapons, and a musket mould . . . — — Map (db m277790) HM
The dungeon was first carved out of solid rock by hand around 950 years ago and has been extended over the years. It was originally a secure store for the Norman Lords' valuables, but during the 1640s it was used as a secure store- for prisoners! . . . — — Map (db m277785) HM
St Richard's Friary was founded by Edmund de Lacy, Baron of Pontefract in 1256, and dedicated to his friend and confessor, Richard Wych, Bishop of Chichester. When Edmund died in 1257 his heart was buried in the Church, also the bodies of Richard . . . — — Map (db m276719) HM
In the castle's medieval heyday up to one thousand people had to be fed. Only the king spent more money on his household than the Lord of Pontefract Castle!
Even on a quiet day around 200 gallons of ale were drunk, most of which was brewed on . . . — — Map (db m277786) HM
Mayor of Pontefract 1961/62
The role and title of Mayor of this ancient borough was established by a Royal Charter of King Richard III in 1484. In the 490 years of its existence Violet was the first, and only, woman to hold the office. — — Map (db m276674) HM
Pontefract Castle was built around 1070 by one of William the Conqueror's most loyal knights, Ilbert De Lacy. Back then it was a wooden motte and bailey castle. Throughout the following centuries the castle was extended and converted to stone, . . . — — Map (db m280306) HM
