Wednesday 28 August 2013

A History Tour In Four Parts

Sandal Castle is a place we've been meaning to go since I read Anne's post about it on her Marmalade and Catmint blog. On Monday, we finally had a trip there.


The remains are of a castle built over 700 years ago, though the moats and castle mound were part of a castle which was built 200 years earlier.


A bridge is in place to enable visitors to cross the moat.


Conservation work in now being undertaken at the castle. It's hoped that there will be significant improvements and that it will be more accessible to visitors.



There are some fantastic views from the site, this is looking out across the city of Wakefield.


This is the view of the main lake at Pugneys Country Park.



The motte.


Steps have been installed to allow visitors to climb to the top of the motte. I'll take Mick and Eleanor's word for it that the views are spectacular from there. I don't have a head for heights.


The castle is best known for The Battle of Wakefield which took place on the fields below the castle in 1460. Richard, Duke of York, who was the owner of the castle was trying to seize the throne from his cousin, Henry VI. This led to a series of battles known as The Wars of the Roses. On a visit to Sandal Castle at Christmas, Richard was ambushed by Lancastrian enemies from Pontefract Castle. During the battle which followed, he was killed within sight of the castle.

It was a hot day so we decided to have ice cream before heading off to our second port of call, Pontefract Castle, to see where the Lancastrians had come from.


Pontefract Castle was built by Ilbert de Lacy in the late 1080's. The original motte and bailey castle would have been made of timber and earth but over the following century the castle was gradually rebuilt in stone. In the 14th century the castle passed to the House of Lancaster and later became a royal castle when the Dukes of Lancaster became kings of England.


The present remains represent the inner bailey of the castle containing the Keep, chapels, kitchens and Bakehouse and the late medieval outer bailey to the south-east, which contained farm buildings and workshops.


Here's Eleanor stood in what would have been the east oven in the bakehouse.


These are the remains of two chapels in the north eastern corner of the castle.


There's lots to see at Pontefract Castle, and the information boards about each area of the castle are excellent.



The motte.


The view from the top of the motte is superb, though the power station wouldn't have been there all those years ago.


The herb garden.


I loved these cottages right at the gates to the castle. Such character.


I can thoroughly recommend Pontefract Castle for a day out. The information boards are so interesting, there's plenty to see and there's even a large chess set for you to have a game and picnic tables dotted about. The grounds are kept immaculate and it's a place we'll definitely return to.

On to the next chapter in our history tour, Towton Battlefield Trail.


The year after The Battle of Wakefield where Richard, Duke of York was killed, the Battle of Towton took place between the Houses of York and Lancaster. It was probably the largest and bloodiest battle ever fought on English soil, and it took place during a snow storm on Palm Sunday, the 29th March 1461. Richard, Duke of York's son, Edward, had his revenge. His forces defeated the Lancastrians and he became Edward IV.

The start of the trail is just to the side of the main road, where a memorial cross stands. Known as Dacre's Cross, it's the site where wreaths are laid on the anniversary of the battle.

 
As you look around, it's hard to imagine that this was the site where up to 28,000 men lost their lives during the battle.


This area where sheep now graze is known as Bloody Meadow.


We didn't walk the whole trail as we were, by now, in need of sustenance, so off we headed in to the village of Towton to a pub we've visited on many occasions, The Rockingham Arms. The Rockingham Arms is also the headquarters of the Towton Battlefield Society.


A couple of bowls of chips were ordered to cure our rumbling tums, and they were washed down with a couple of halves of larger, or in Eleanor's case, Coca Cola. Very good it was too.


We're so lucky to have so much history on our doorsteps, and it's wonderful that it's being preserved so well for future generations.

32 comments:

  1. You were busy! All looks good. I do get confused, just read the White Queen a while back and the series this summer did you? So the Richard you speak of, is that the Richard that took the throne from his nephew? Then lost the crown on Boswell to Henry? Too many Richards, Henry's and Edwards! ;)

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    1. It was quite a bit to fit in to one day, but I'm hoping to go back to Pontefract Castle soon as there's so much information there to take in on one visit. I didn't watch The White Queen but I heard that it was really good. The Richard I speak of was Richard, 3rd Duke of York. He never got to the throne but as I said in the post, his son Edward IV did, and on Edward's death, his brother, Richard, 3rd Duke of York's other son, Richard III took it. He's the Richard who was killed at the Battle of Boswell and took the throne ahead of the Princes In The Tower, his nephews. His remains were recently dug up in a car park in Leicester. I agree, there's just so many Richards, Henrys and Edwards. So confusing.

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  2. So fascinating. I love reading these posts about old castle ruins in your country. I really can't get enough, so keep it coming. :) I'm intrigued by the herb garden at Pontefract (sp?); do you think the plants are original to the castle? How amazing! I suppose there are lots of plants, like trees, which have survived such a long time, but the whole idea is really interesting to me.

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    1. There's so many amazing places to visit here. All these places are within a short drive from where I live, yet I've only ever visited Towton before. I think sometimes, we take our history for granted, though I'm finding that I'm becoming more interested as I get older. I would expect that herbs were planted and used in medieval times, though this herb garden looks to be newly planted. I would think they've done their research though and the herbs they have planted would have been around many years ago.

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  3. Thank you so much for sharing your pictures and history. I, too, read Anne's blog from Marmalade and Catmint and your blog.

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    1. I'm pleased that Anne posted about Sandal Castle, it piqued my interest and we've had a lovely day out because of her post. I'm glad you enjoyed reading about our day, I'm looking forward to returning to Pontefract Castle as I don't think I took everything in.

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  4. Hi Jo,

    Can't believe you covered all that in a DAY! Mr Sft and I would love all this history, and your can't beat learning in context.

    Looks like the family had a great time together.

    Sft x

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    1. It was a bit hectic getting round it all, and I think we missed a fair bit, so I'm looking forward to repeating it. I think I've started enjoying history more since I began researching my family tree, though it might just be because I'm getting older. Daniel was missing from this outing, he doesn't often come out with us anymore being 18 and enjoying his own life now, which makes it more special when he does grace us with his presence.

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  5. All three places are on my Must See list, especially since watching the White Queen on TV. And especially Towton, I have a thing for battlefields!

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    1. I wish I hadn't missed The White Queen, I've been told that I would have really enjoyed it. We're only ten minutes away from Towton so I think we should walk the whole Battlefield Trail at some point.

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  6. I always find going to these historical places brings to life any reading around the period, whether novels based on the facts or non fiction. I enjoyed learning more through reading The White Queen and seeing the tv drama and other documentaries. Dacre would be one of the places I would like to visit and thanks for recommending Pontefract Castle. It looks as if you had an action packed day!

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    1. I wish I'd seed the TV drama of The White Queen. I was told that I'd enjoy it, but I just had so much on at the time. I don't think anyone would be disappointed in Pontefract Castle. It was our first visit but it definitely won't be our last.

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  7. HI Jo, I'm glad my post inspired you! I havent actually been to Pontefract castle for donkeys years but it looks well kept, in fact better than ever. I keep saying to Tony we ought to go and pay a visit.I love our rich local history and the older I get the more I love it. Definitely agree about all the Richards and Henrys, so confusing!!

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    1. Thank you so much for your post, without it this day out would never have happened. You must take a trip to Pontefract Castle, I know you'd love it there. I can't wait to go back. All these Richards and Henrys are so confusing, I don't know where I am with them.

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  8. I love the way history can 'layer up' in one area! Sandal Castle's ground works have been particularly well preserved. It's still a real climb to the top of the motte! Jx

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    1. There was no way I was climbing to the top of that motte, I'm such a wimp when it comes to heights. We have so much history in this area, we're very lucky.

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  9. Wow, wish we'd been with you having that lovely day out. I've been to Sandal in 1991 on a very blustery day, but think I'd definitely go again with all the improvements since then. Pontefract Castle and Towton are also on my list. Loving all this history both you and Anne are sharing.

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    1. We're lucky to have so much history in our area, Towton is only a ten minute drive away, in fact, I used to take my driving lessons out that way around all the little villages. I loved Pontefract Castle, we'll definitely go there again soon.

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  10. Goodness, Jo, you had a busy time - and fascinating. Thanks for sharing it with us. :o)

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    1. It was busy, it was a bit of a whistle stop tour so I'm looking forward to going back and spending a little more time at each place.

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  11. Jo this is the kind of day trip that I like to go on, I love history and it is so bizarre to read that 28,000 men died on that hill... I mean life expectancy wasn't that great then anyway! I love your photos Jo! As always, loved the post, Tammy x

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    1. It's hard to put in perspective what a field strewn with 28,000 bodies would look like. It's said that the nearby river flowed red with blood for days afterwards. I'm getting more and more in to history as I get older, it's fascinating.

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  12. What an interesting post, I love all the history you have crammed into it for us.
    You sure got around to a lot of places in just one day.
    The thought of so many men being killed in a battle is just awful, no wonder it's called Bloody Meadow.
    Lisa x

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    1. There's so much history on our doorsteps, it's just a case of learning about it. It's hard to imagine all those lost lives, such a peaceful area now was once the scene of so much bloodshed. It was a busy day, but enjoyable.

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  13. Thanks for a most enjoyable, and informative, post with terrific photos.
    I was never one for history prior to the late Victorian age but like you do now find it a really fascinating subject. The ups and downs looked well worth the effort for the wonderful panoramic views. Flighty xx

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    1. I'm pleased you enjoyed it. I think that knowing the history of the area we live and about the people who lived here so many years before us is fascinating. You can certainly understand why castles were built on mounds like these when the views stretch out as far as they do.

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  14. We really have some spectacular history in this country don't we? Your pictures are gorgeous, I've never visited any of these places sadly.

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    1. I think we're so lucky to have the rich history that we do here. I'm so pleased that places such as these are being so well preserved for future generations too. It's important that our history is not forgotten.

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  15. Now that looks like my kind of day out ... ruins, walks and a proper English pub. This land is steeped in history isn't it :)

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    1. There's always something close by which is of interest in our country, we're so lucky. I love this little pub, we used to go quite regularly as it was known for it's fish and chip meals, but it's been a few years since we've been.

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  16. Do you know we have been to Pugneys lots and regularly have lunch at a nearby pub but have never been to Sandal Castle.

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    1. I wouldn't have even known about it had it not been for Anne's post. I loved Pontefract Castle and I'll return very soon, there's so much information and I didn't really have time to take it all in, though all the places I mention are worth a visit.

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