The history of the ancient borough of Pontefract, containing an interesting account of its castle, and the three different sieges it sustained, during the civil war, with notes and pedigrees, of some of the most distinguished royalists and parliamentarians

Front matter

I

THE

HISTORY

SECTION I. On the State of the Place during the Dominion of the

SECT. II.

On the Saxon Period, and the Introduction of Christianity, - - - - -- -19

SECT. III.

Inquiry into the Constitution and Privileges of the

Borough under the Saxons, - • - - - 36 SECT. IV.

The Norman Conquest, and the changes it produced, 46

SECT. V.

On the modern Name of this Borough, and the building

of the Castle, ___--- 53

SECT. VI.

The History and Pedigree of the Lacies, - - 60

SECT. VII.

Inquiry into the Conduct and Character of Thomas Earl of Lancaster, - - - - -84

SECT. VIII.

Historical Events till the Death of Richard II. 99

SECT. IX.

Historical Events till the Union of the Houses of Lancaster and Fork, - - - - - -117

SECT. X.

Historical Events from the Death of Richard III. till

the commencement of the Civil War, - - 139

SECT. XI On the Civil War, the state of Parties, and a description of the Castle in its perfect State, - - 143

Xll CONTENTS.

Page

SECT. XII.

Events during the First Siege, - - - - 169

SECT. XIII.

Events during the Second Siege, - - - - 185

SECT? XIV.

Events which followed the surrender of the Castle, the manner in which it was surprised, the last Siege,

and final Demolition, - 249

Part II

Priory of St. John, - - - - - -319

Dominican Friars, - - - - 333

Austin Friars, - - - - - - -341

Church of All-Hallows, - - - - - 343

Church of St. Giles, - - - - - -364

Chantry of St. Thomas, - - - - -376

St. Nicholas Hospital, - - -- - -378

Jinolles\ or Trinity Hospital and College, - - 383

Bead House Hospital, - - - - - -392

Twaite" s Hospital, - - - - - - 393

Franks Hospital, _«..«-.- 394

Cowpefs Hospital, - - - - - -397

Perfects Hospital, - - - - - -228

Watkhis Hospital, - - - - - -399

The King ]s Free Grammar School, - - -401

Charity School, - - - - - - -411

Talbot s Charity, Sayles Dole, - - - - 414

Corporations Bequest, - - - - - -418

Acastefs Bequest, - - - - - - ib„

Mrs. Dorothy Frank's Bequest - - - - ib.

FothergiW s Donation, - - - - - -419

The Park, * 428

Stump Cross, - - - - - -441

Market- Cross, Town-Hall, Theatre, - - - 443

Ancient Cave, - - - - - - -ib.

Parliamentary History, - - - - - 458

Religious Sects, and modern State of the Town, 484

Appendix — Addenda. - - - - - ' -

PREFACE,

AGREEMENT in language, community of priviliges, and a similarity in general habits, form the basis of the virtue called patriotism, or the love of our country; a virtue which grows with our growth, and ripens with our years. The same principles which generate the love of our country, give every man a peculiar interest in the place of his nativity, or in that where he has spent the chief part of his life. The former he recollects in connection with his boyish sports, and the gay and enchanting scenes of his youth, when his mind was free from care, and the illusions of fancy added charms to every object, and converted the world into a paradise ; the latter is impressed on his heart by the toils he has endured, the friendships he has formed, and most probably by those tender sympathies and emotions which he feels as a husband and a father. The same principles which attach us to a particular place,, lead us to enquire into its origin, and into the events which have occurred respecting it ; and by connecting the idea of the place with the events, and disregarding the time, we feel as if personally interested.

Topography is founded on the above mentioned principles ; and while it gratifies a natural desire, it often illustrates and improves general History. Every particular town, is a part of a general whole; an unit of the aggregate number of which a kingdom consists. To describe each separately, and to state with precision the most interesting occurrences, must tend to render general History more minute and more faithful.

XIV PREFACE.

The work now presented to the public, originated in the wish of a respectable friend, Richard Hepworth, Esq. . who had made a collection of such materials towards it as he had met with in the course of his reading. These he offered to the Author, and generously promised any assistance which it was in his power to afford ; and during the progress of this work, he has faithfully adhered to his engagement. On perusing these materials, the Author found that much was yet to be done — that beside the task of arranging, diligent research was necessary in order to explain and illustrate various facts which were only noticed en passant by our Historians, He availed himself of all the sources of information within his reach ; and in the course of his researches, he met with materials far beyond what he had expected.

The most valuable communication the Author received from the Rev. F. Drake, Lecturer, of Pontefract. This was the ISIS, journal of the siege wrote at the time by his ancestor, Captain Drake, and which had been carefully preserved in the family. By the aid of this valuable MS. the history of the siege is more particular and interesting than it could possibly otherwise have been.

The notes, containing some account of the families of several distinguished persons in the castle, aud of some in the army of the Parliament, have been derived from Wilson's MS. Pedigrees, in the Leeds library, compared with another valuable copy in the possession of the Rt. Hon. J. Smyth, Heath, near Wakefield. Both these MS. are copies from one in the possession of the late Dr. Richardson, of Bierly, near Bradford, collected by Mr. Hopkinson, the friend of Dugdale, from the records in Pontefract Castle, previous to its demolition.

The Author has to acknowledge his obligations to J. Miines, Esq. for the accurate pedigree of the

PREFACE. XV

Pool family, and some other communications. Vvr. H. Beaumont, Esq. of Whitley, has honoured the Author with some documents respecting his family ; and as a gentleman and a scholar, he has discovered a readiness to impart information from the valuable collection of ancient documents in his possession, which leads the Author to regret, that he had not the happiness of becoming acquainted with him, previous to the commencement of his work. From a letter of Sir Thomas Beaumont, it appears, that the note, page c2\5, explaining the term Snaphances, is not correct as applied to that period, whatever it may be as now used among the military. Sir Thomas, in a letter dated from Pontefract, June 7, 1643, answers one he had received— " for the Match you write for, I shall shortly send you some ; but I put you in mind once more, to use your Snaphance Pieces to keep centery with, as that will save our Match " This decides the ense of the term as then understood.

The note in page 284, respecting Lady Saville, copied from Kimber's Baronetage, is a misrepresentation. Sir Thomas Beaumont was the governor of the castle, and in the articles of rendition, there is one, which respects the safe return of Lady Saville, to Thornhill.

Some persons will probably conceive that this work is too much connected with the general history of the country. In reply, it may be observed that every local history must be less or more so ; and as such a work will fall into the hands of many, whose situation and circumstances preclude access to works on general history, it was judged advisable to relate the causes of those events which more properly belonged to the history of the place.

The history of the priory and religious orders might have been rendered more minute, had the

Xvi PREFACE.

Author had the opportunity of searching the valuable stores of the Bodleian Library. He found, that his materials were as ample as his plan and proposals would admit ; and he was under the necessity of leaving this to some future historian, that he might give an account of the churches, charities, &c. within the Borough.

On the whole, the Author commits this work to the public, sensible that further attention and research might have rendered it more perfect. He has had the double task of collecting his materials, and of immediately arranging them for the press. Hence he has rarely had an opportunity of attending to his language, and of giving to it, that polish and grace, which would have enlivened the subject, and rendered the whole more pleasing and interesting. He hopes this will disarm critisism of her severity, and excite her to practice the virtue of forbearance, where she cannot smile with approbation.

P, S. Since the history of the siege was printed ©if, the life of Sir H. Slingsby has been published, in Scotland. In this work, some particulars respecting the castle, previous to the battle of Marston Moore, are noticed; and a Sir John Redman, is said to have been the governor. A hard fought battle is described, between the royalists and the parliamentarians, which began at Brotherton, and extended to Berkin. The royalists were victorious, but Sir J. Redman soon after died. Vid. the Work.

Introduction

xllSTORY it is generally admitted, is not less calculated to afford rational amusement, than to impart useful instruction. It collects the experience and wisdom of all ages; it records useful discoveries, and traces the progress of the arts; it notices the influence of civil institutions, in forming the character and regulating the manners and sentiments of a people; and combining the useful with the agreeable, it never fails to please.

A faithful delineation of the conduct and characters of distinguished individuals ; a detail of those great events which have contributed in a considerble degree, to the greatness and happiness of a people, or to their misery and wretchedness, cannot be perused without interest. While reading an animated description of some rencounter, which is to decide the fate of nations, who does not feel the oscillations of hope and fear, while the battle hangs in suspence ? While contemplating the character of those who have ennobled human nature by their distinguished virtues, who is not excited, at least for the moment, to imitation? Who does not wish in whatever situation placed, to dignify that situation by the exercise of appropriate virtues* It is not possible that all should command armies, and by their achievements obtain general renown;

no. i. B *

2 INTRODUCTION.

but it is possible for eacb individual to obtain a sufficient portion of fame by a virtuous conduct in the station in which he is placed. The examples of excellence which history sets before us, in every science; in every profession and calling, must have a considerable, though it may be an imperceptible influence on our conduct and pursuits. These examples like the dew on the grass, cherish and invigorate every virtuous principle. They operate like the sun; nor, after ages have elapsed, is their influence spent.

Nor are examples of vice useless. Though on many occasions history pourtrays some of the worst of our species as prosperous, it tends on the whole to establish the maxim, " That the prosperity of the wicked shall destroy them." If it exhibit the character of a Pharoah or a Nero trampling for a season on the rights of men; and exulting in the misery their own crimes have created ; it also shews their end ;— that while one for his obduracy, cruelty and oppression, is made an example of divine vengeance ; the other is driven from a throne on which he was unworthy to sit, and falls a just sacrifice to the hatred which his own vices had excited. After having erected a palace, covered with gold wrung from the people by oppression, and coolly observing, " that this was an habitation fit for a man to dwell in ;" Nero was forced to fly to an homely cottage, and there slain.

As history shews vice on a throne thus punished; it also displays inferior examples equally wretched ; and one would hope that such examples cannot but afford to mankind the most salutary admonitions. In a word, when virtuous characters excite our esteem, those of vice must excite our abhorrence.

INTRODUCTION. 3

and this abhorrence must become a motive to a more amiable and dignified deportment. Examples of vice act by a repellant, as those of virtue by an attractive influence; and unless a man is already decided in his character, and established in criminal habits, it may reasonably be expected, that such examples will, on the whole, be favourable to virtue.

The influence of civil institutions cannot be more clearly displayed than in topographical history. As this is confined to a particular district, it is necessarily more minute in its details, it marks every change in the institutions, the sentiments and manners of a people; it describes distinguished individual characters, and by being more particular, it becomes more influential and interesting. Every man is led to reflect that he inhabits the place where the most striking events have occurred ; where the most noble examples of patriotism, valour and prudence, have been exhibited; and he is influenced to become equally patriotic, bold and daring, prudent and circumspect, with those who have been — but alas are no more !

Though this place has not been hitherto honored by a particular history, it is not owing to any want of authentic and interesting materials. Its antiquity, the singular events which have occurred; its connection with the general history of the kingdom, afford ample matter for the historian. To use the language of a late writer, this place is memorable for the residence of a proud Norman conqueror — for the tragical end of a beloved King — for the noble blood which flowed by the hand of the executioner ; and for the unshaken loyalty here manifested in the defence of that unfortunate monarch Charles the first,

THE

HISTORY

PONTEFRACTo

SECTION I.

On the state of this place during the dominion of the Romans.

xT is difficult, not to say in many cases impossible, to trace with precision the original foundation and establishment of particular places. The lapse of so many ages, and the want of ancient records, are obstacles which no industry or research can surmount Nor can it excite wonder that the origin of particular places should be unknown, when the subject is deliberately considered ; but on the other hand, it is what may reasonably be expected. When objects grand or novel are beheld, they strike the imagination with an irresistable force, and the pleasurable emotions they excite, lead the mind to dwell on them, till they become indelibly impressed on the memory ; but those which are common are seen and forgotten; the impression which they make fades away with the passing moment. While the majestic river, which fertilizes and enriches the country through which it winds its course, is beheld

6 HISTORY OF PONTfiFRACT.

with admiration, the spring from which it rises is unnoticed. In like manner the populous town or busy city contains objects which arouse the attention, and the various occurrences and events of such places, afford matter for the historian; while the farm house or the few cottages, from which such town or city arose, are beheld with indifference ; and no one thinks of describing who built them, or by whom they are inhabited. As most places have originated from such small beginnings, years, if not ages, must have rolled away before they became sufficiently interesting to deserve notice; and on this account our inability to produce direct evidence of the time when, and the manner how this ancient town arose, is the less to be regretted. But though we cannot attain what is absolutely certain on this point, by the consideration of collateral circumstances, we may yet arrive at what is highly probable. The state of Britain before the invasion of the Romans is but imperfectly understood. The enterprizing spirit of the Phenician merchants of Tyre in the land of Judaea, had early pushed discovery beyond the pillars of Hercules; and to open new sources of wealth and trade, they had reached Britain. At this remote period, the Britons were not unacquainted with the treasures their country contained ; and long before Caesar visited them they knew how to extract the valuable metals of lead, tin, and copper from their ores. These articles they exchanged with the Phenicians for the merchandise of the east ; and the Phenicians gave the name of Cassiterides *, to the British isles.

* Vid. Borlace Ant. Cor. 29. p. Five or six centuries before the Christian era, they carried on this trafic. Herodotus, who flourished 440 years before Christ, calls the island from whence

Julius Caesar about fifty-five years before the Christian era passed over from Gaul, and made a descent on Britian. The Britons not discouraged by the fame of his conquests, and the subjugation of their brethren the Gauls, made a brave resistance ; and though compelled to give way to the disciplined legions of Rome, they obtained the praise due to their valour and courage from their enemies. The ambition of Caesar was now directed against his own country; and having received hostages from the Britons he departed, and they escaped the yoke prepared for them for near a century.

Caesar, who amidst the toils of war and the various duties which his high rank imposed upon him, still found leisure for the cultivation of polite literature; and to his elegant Commentaries we are indebted for the best information respecting the laws, customs and manners of the Britons. From these we learn, that the island of Britain was peopled from the Continent, and that our ancestors spake the same language, worshipped the same idols, and were governed by the same laws as the inhabitants of Gaul.

The kingdom was divided into a number of independent and separate states, one of the most considerable of which was that of the Brigantes, who inhabited this part of the country. Each state acknowledged one chief or king; but this chief or king was not absolute. He could neither make laws, nor engage in any matters of importance, without the advice and consent of the equites, or leadr

tin came Cassiterides, and confesses he knew not where it lay, xtcdj? is the Chaldee name for tin, and it is probable it was sq called by the Phenicians ; as the Greeks cannot be supposed to, have given a name to an island they did not know.

8 tilSTORY Otf PONTEFRACT.

ing men, and the druids, or priests *. There appears only to have existed among the Britons these two orders, for the common people were in a state of •vassalage f . Each of these equites enjoyed a certain district of land, where he resided with his retainers around him, who attended him in war, and in peace cultivated his ground, and supplied his table with its produce. These districts must have differed in extent, some being larger than others; and it has been supposed these divisions of land, were the foundation of our present parishes.

The houses of the Britons were of a round form, and covered with a convex roof; and houses of this form continued in the highlands of Scotland, where the remains of the old Britons still reside, within a few centuries J. They were made by driving stakes into the earth, and watling them with osiers; and the roof was covered with branches of trees* and thatched. They had much the appearance of tents, and wrere so ca'led by Dion and Zonaras§.

At the arrival of the Romans, the population of Britain was considerable. Bed e inform us, there were twenty-eight cities, besides other fortified ■places || . Tacitus expressly asserts, that the Brigantes were the most numerous, and formed the largest kingdom of any within the whole island 5f . This people whose capital was called Isurium, (now Aldborough, near Boroughbridge,) were justly ranked among the most warlike of the Britons.

* Whitaker, Hist. Man, Vol. 1. p. 6.

t B^etius, Scot. Reg. Descrip. Fo. 4. 1575, Paris.

They had either peopled, or acquired by conquest the whole of that territory now divided into the counties of Durham, York, Westmoreland, Cumberland, and Lancaster. In the Itineraries of Antonine and Richard, there are twenty-eight towns mentioned, whose names prove their British origin/ subject to the Brigantes. According to Ninius, Danum, or Doncaster was then a town of importance *.

The towns or cities of the Britons were generally built in valleys, upon the margin of a stream or river, for the convenience of water and security from winds. They were not scenes of general and constant residence, but may be considered rather as places of refuge amid the dangers of war, where they might occasionally lodge their wives, children and cattle, and the weaker resist the stronger, till succours could arrive. Surrounded by impervious woods and secured by a rampart and fosse, they were sufficiently strong to resist the ordinary attacks of their enemies.

The Britons had a peculiar method of giving alarm and collecting their forces, on the invasion of an enemy. They raised a cry which was caught up, and transmitted from mouth to mouth through all the region, and as the notice passed along the warriors snatched their arms, and hurried away to the rendezvous. When Caesar first invaded Britain the alarm was spread in this manner, in sixteen or seventeen hours, one hundred and sixty miles in a direct line f The partial remains of this custom

f Ubi major atque illustrior incidit res, clamore per agroSj regionesque significant ; hunc alii deinceps excipiunt, et proximis tradunt: ut tunc accidit; nam quse oriente sole Genabi gesta >T0. i. c * still exist among us in the' hue and cry Which is raised after a thief who would escape justice.

After the invasion of Julius Csesar, a more general intercourse was established between Britain and the continent, 'and Britain was considered as a field where the generals of Rome might obtain fame, and the empire receive an addition to its territory and wealth. At length they obtained a settlement in the country; and in the progress of their conquests reached the Brigantes ; and, after numerous and hard-fought battles, reduced them under subjection. Unaccustomed to a tame submission our brave countrymen, soon raised the standard of revolt, and once more committed their cause to the decision of arms*

Though possessed of equal valour and courage with their enemies, the Britons were deficient in that steady discipline and order which they had acquired, and were at last compelled to submit to the Roman eagle. This revolt of the Brigantes and the triumph of the Romans over them, happened in the seventeenth consulate of Domitian, and about the eighteenth of the christian era. The fact is establised by a leaden trophy dug up near Ripon, about the middle of the last century *..

Having conquered this part of Britain, they adopted the most prudent methods to keep the people in subjection ; to check the spirit of revolt and to render their conquest useful and lasting. As they could not confide in Britons, they fixed

their camps, on the site of their towns or near to them, and a certain part of a legion was there stationed. The camps of the Romans which are supposed to have given origin to man}' of our towns and cities, appear rather to indicate some prior settlement of the Britons. In many instances this is certain, and in others the reason of the thing establishes it.

Within two miles of this place the vestiges of a Roman camp or station remained till within a late period, and the Itineraries furnish us with the name Lagecium or Legeolium, now called Castleford. In the Bean-field, or Castle^garth, numbers of Roman coins have been dug up ; a sure indication that the Romans once dwelt there. From this circumstance, and if the above remark be just, we may infer that previous to their arrival, the banks of the Aire and Calder were inhabited; the native Britons there depastured their cattle, while the surrounding woods supplied them with game for the chase, and with food for their tables. Nor is it improbable that the Britons fed their flocks and their herds in the valley where the old town of Pontefract stood.

The Romans stationed in this neighbourhood did not only check the ardent and restless spirit of the natives, but gradually introduced among them their own arts, and the comforts of civilization; and thus rendered their conquest equally beneficial to themselves and the vanquished Britons. The Roman soldiers were as much accustomed to the use of the plough as the shield, and were as industrious in peace as they were brave in war. When they had fixed their camps they availed themselves of the advantages the surrounding country presented, in.

order to secure to themselves tbe necessary supplies. Woods were cut down* the ground cleared and plowed up; and roads were constructed from station to station, to facilitate the conveyance of goods* and collect their forces together with more ease and expedition* on any sudden emergency.

The great Roman road called Wathling or Watling Street*, which divided England in length* and runs from the port Ritupae, now Richborough in Kent [usque ad lineam valli] to the limit of the Roman wall, and beyond it* unquestionably passed either through or near to the town of Pontefract, It may be traced from Danum, or Doncaster* over Seawsby Leas to Barnsdale; and from thence to East Hardwick* and through Pontefract Park to Castleford. A second Roman road from Chesterfield, by way of Sheffield* Bamsley, Hemsworth and Ackworth, joined Watlihg Street, at Pontefract : as did also a third from Manchester, by Canlboduhum, Wakefield* and the Street houses. A vicinal way appears to have passed through the site of the old town in a south direction to Darrington* Wentbridge, Smeaton, Campsail* and Hatfield; and northward to Castleford f.

From the circumstance of so many roads meeting at or near this place* Leland and Drake were induced to consider it as the ancient Legeoliuni. Although much deference is due to the opinion of

* Whitaker and Hearne differ from most other writers respect ing the name of this Roman road. They maintain that Watling Street led from Sandwich directly west into Wales : and that the true name of this street Is Ikening, or Ikinild.

-j- The remembrance of this road is still preserved in the name oFthe closes called Street-Furlong, which lies contiguous to it, near Darrington.

HISTORY OF PONTEFRACTV 13

these celebrated antiquaries on subjects of this nature; they seem in this instance to have been mistaken, and the honour of that ancient station undoubtedly belongs to Castleford *. It is not however improbable, that a secondary and a subordinate station to that at Legeolium was established here, as we find such secondary and subordinate stations usual in other places. These stations were placed at convenient distances for the protection of their cattle; and Whitaker mentions six of this kind in the vicinity of Mancuniensis, or Manchester. Before the inclosure and cultivation of the Park, evident vestiges of a Roman camp remained on its ridge f .

The Roman custom of grazing in Italy was adopted in the remotest parts of their widely extended empire. The dry ground of the hills, and the moist meadows of the vale were successively the pasture of their flocks and herds. During the summer they confined them to the marshes and low grounds ; and on the approach of winter they drove them up to the hills J. According to this custom the * The greater part of our antiquaries are of this opinion, and the distance in the fifth and sixth Iter of Antonine confirm it, la the fifth, the distance from Danum to Legeolium is said to be sixteen miles ; and from thence to York twenty-one. In the eighth, it is said, from York to Legeolium is twenty-one, and from thence to Doncaster sixteen miles.

Besides the coins which have been in such numbers dug up, and are still occasionally found, there have been other monuments of Roman elegance discovered at Castleford. T. Wilson, F. R. S; in a manuscript letter to the author of the Eboracum, now in the possession of the writer, remarks that he had seen at Castleford several fragments of a fine tesselated pavement, which had been dug up ity a garden adjoining to the Bean- field.

f In the letter mentioned in the last note, the writer, who seems to have examined the ground, gives it as his decided opinion, that a Roman camp had been formed on the Park ridge. % Vegetius, Lib. iii. c. 8. Animalium pascua, low and marshy land about Castleford would be deemed unsuitable for their cattle in winter, and the higher ground of this place would be prefered.

There have been some Roman coins found in this place, and there are still remaining in many old walls, bricks, which from iheir dimensions, thickness, colour, and texture, appear to be Roman, On the whole it is highly probable that this place derives its origin from a secondary Roman station, and although not equal in magnitude and importance with Legeolium, yet owing to its excellent pasture grounds, the salubrity of its air, its commanding prospects and beautiful scenery, it would be preferred by the more wealthy Romans as well as by the native Britons ; it became to Legeolium what Baiae was to Rome, the seat of elegance, pleasure, and refinement.