Wakefield Museums and Castles

At the end of the Civil Wars local officials petitioned for the demolition of Pontefract Castle. Unlike some might think, it wasn't the Civil Wars themselves that saw the destruction of the castle. The castle actually survived the wars, despite being at the centre of the action.

However, the people of Pontefract had endured three long sieges with many casualties. The town had suffered a lot of damage and people had lost loved ones. Local people saw the castle as the reason. Its strategic position attracted armies and brought a blight on the town.

Because of this, the official order to demolish Pontefract Castle was issued on 4 April 1649.

The order came from parliament. It was also issued by the West Yorkshire Quarter Sessions.

Different contractors were paid for the demolition of different towers and walls. Money was raised from the sale of items from the castle's demolition. The timber, lead and glass were especially valuable.

Records of the accounts were published at the time. They were later reprinted by Richard Holmes in the 1800s. Holmes was a Victorian expert on the history of Pontefract Castle.

Accounts reprinted by Richard Holmes. They detail money paid by people for lead, iron and timber taken from Pontefract Castle