Pontefract

Pontefract was originally called Pontus Fractus which was latin for broken bridge it is unknown who gave the town the name and the town is not actually mentioned in the domesday book. We do know that the Normans refferred to the town as Pomfret and the famous castle in Pontefract was built during the era the Normans occupied the town. The castle was built on land owned by Ilbert De Lacy in 1070, the land had been given to him by the famous William The Conquerer to show his gratitude to De Lacy during the war they had fought together. The cellars in the castle are open today and frequently visited by tourists, it was here all the military equipment was stored.

The castle does hold a few secrets that are still questioned today such as the death of Richard II, it is a fact that he was murdered at the castle in 1400 and ithis event is mentioned in the famous play ‘Richard II’ written by William Shakespeare, the exact details of the murder are unknown but he was for sure murdered at the castle. After living through three sieges the local people of Pontefract finally decided to petition to parliament to get the castle demolished as they felt that all the castle brought to the town was bad luck, war and death and their wish was granted because in 1649 the castle was demolished.

Some ruins survived the demolition and it is these ruins that tourists visit today. Another interesting fact about the castle’s history is that in 1541 King Henry VIII visited Pontefract castle with his wife Catherine Howard and whilst they were staying there King Henry VIII discovered she had been unfaithful to him during her stay there and it was due to him discovering this that he later had her beheaded as an ultimate punishment.

In the 1500′s Pontefract was one of the biggest towns in Yorkshire and it is also from this period that the oldest pub in Pontefract dates back to which is today known as The Counting House. The first church in Pontefract is thought to have been documented in the 1300′s this was the All Saints Church and this has been rebuilt and restored many times throughout the centuries the most recent documented in 1831,1967 and 1999.

It was in the early 1700′s that racing was first documented in Pontefract and by the end of that century racing had become very popular to visit as a pastime. Pontefract is very well known for it’s liquorice industry and it was back in the 1500′s that it is said the monks first introduced Pontefract to liquorice, they grew this there due to the soil being perfect for the growth of liquorice and it was then used for medicinal purposes.

The confectionary form of liquorice was introduced by a gentlemen named George Dunhill who grew liquorice on his land and discovered that by adding sugar you had a sweet. Production of liquorice was a very successful industry in Pontefract and many factories were opened to meet demand. In the 1800′s population grew due to the booming factories and the mining industry many men were employed down the pit and many women were employed in the liquorice factories, it was around this time that railways were introduced to Pontefract and this also added to the booming town’s growth. Pontefract is also famous for the manufactoring of Pontefract cakes which date back to the 1500′s and are still manufactured today.

In 1906 as in Wakefield, Castleford and Normanton the trams were first introduced and ran successfully until 1925 when they were with regret replaced by motor buses. The first public baths were opened in Pontefract in 1912 and in 1974 the town of Pontefract was formally declared a part of the Wakefield district.

Ferrybridge is part of the Pontefract area and it was here that a chariot was discovered at Ferrybridge henge which is thought to date back 2500 years. Ferrybridge henge is an ancient semi circular henge that dates back to 3000BC. Ferrbridge is also home to the power station which was built as one of three in the area in the 1900′s.

Pontefract is an interesting town to visit as it has lots of history to look at in the museum and at the castle ruins. The race course and park are also a must to visit as the park within the race course is very picturesque with it’s own small lake in the centre and plenty of things to do around it. There are tennis courts and football pitches aswell as a bowling green and childrens parks. The town itself still upholds the old market in the square.