Site News
News
Pontefract final siege map
We have recently been contacted by Ben Hardiment, a descendant of Charles Fairfax, uncle of renowned Parliamentarian commander-in-chief during the English Civil War, Sir Thomas Fairfax. Ben has kindly contributed a map of Pontefract Castle’s final siege, dated 1648, which he inherited.
Danielle Burton
We have recently been in contact with Danielle Burton, who has for the last seven years been researching the life of Anthony Woodville, who was executed at Pontefract Castle on 25th June 1483, with the hope of publishing a book in the near future. If you would like to follow her blog, the link is here; https://voyagerofhistory.wordpress.com/category/fifteenth-century/
More events added
Over the past weeks, we have added 70 new events to the history of both Pontefract and Sandal Castles, which means we now have over 700 entries in total, covering over a thousand years, including some for the 21st century.
We also now have a link to this site from the Wakefield Museums and Castles blog at http://wakefieldmuseumsandlibraries.blogspot.com/
de Warennes’ family history
Thanks to historian Sharon Bennett-Connolly who has recently provided us with a synopsis of the de Warennes’ family history. Please click the Key Families icon to the right of this home page to access this engrossing insight.
Meeting with Sharon Bennett-Connolly
On 24th May, we met historian Sharon Bennett-Connolly. Sharon’s new book – ‘Defenders of the Norman Crown – Rise and Fall of the Warenne Earls of Surrey’ – was published on 31st May 2021. This is an enthralling insight into the owners of Sandal Castle from the 11th to the 14th centuries.
Comments from Dr J L Laynesmith
We have recently received the following feedback from Dr J L Laynesmith, Visiting Research Fellow at the University of Reading and Richard III Society Research Officer: “ so much fascinating information and so many interesting links with key events”. For anyone with a specific interest in the Wars of the Roses and/or Richard III, please click on the following links:
Over 300 new events added
Over the past week, we have added 300 new events to the history of both Pontefract and Sandal Castles.
On 24th May we are meeting historian Sharon Bennett-Connolly. Sharon has a new book – ‘Defenders of the Norman Crown – Rise and Fall of the Warenne Earls of Surrey’ – being published on 31st May 2021. This will be an enthralling insight into the owners of Sandal Castle from the 11th to the 14th centuries.
Andy Blight joins the team
Andy Blight has kindly volunteered to take over the website maintenance. He has been volunteering at Pontefract Castle since the summer of 2019 and has been creating and maintaining websites for clubs and societies for over 20 years.
Upcoming tours
The de Lacy family were the original builders and owners of Pontefract Castle from 1070 when it was built as a timber motte and bailey castle by Ilbert de Lacy. In the 13th century John de Lacy was one of the principal Lords overseeing the signing of Magna Carta by King John. An upcoming tour on John de Lacy will tell the story of his life.
Thomas of Lancaster was first cousin to King Edward II, but had a bitter dispute with him over the King’s proclivity for having favourites, like Piers Gaveston. Thomas’ wife Alice de Lacy was kidnapped by John de Warenne of Sandal Castle causing a feud between the two. After his death Thomas was viewed as a saint but is that the whole truth? Our upcoming tour on Thomas of Lancaster will explain more about his eventful life and death.
The picture galleries have also been split into sections with short descriptive captions added to each. Pictures display in a lightbox to make browsing more mobile friendly. Pictures can also be flicked through and shared on social media.
Added new family trees
We have added some new family trees to the Media section created by our researchers; Kevin Wilson and Alan Archer.
The picture galleries have also been split into sections with short descriptive captions added to each.
