From
William the Conqueror's 'Great Survey', we learn that Wakefield & Sandal
were in the King's ownership. Sandal was one of eight berewicks
(barley farms) in the Manor of Wakefield.
Sandal Castle has an interesting history, which reflects in many ways some
of the major events and vicissitudes of English History, for in 1090 AD the
Manor of Wakefield was granted to William de Warenne. His successors
fortified the hill at Sandal. A century later, the building of the stone
castle began. Marital difficulties of Thomas, Earl of Lancaster led to a
siege and fire damage, and the castle again became a Royal possession.
The castle, during the Wars of the Roses, was a backdrop for the death of
Richard Plantagenet, the Duke of York, and a memorial to this event still
stands nearby.
Later King Richard III adopted the castle for his stronghold, and he
commenced major rebuilding work. (would Sandal have become the seat of
Government, if events had taken a different turn at Bosworth?). Still in
royal hands, the sixteenth century saw a succession of tenants, who really
could not afford to maintain the castle.
During the Civil War the castle was garrisoned by Royalists. It was twice
besieged in 1645, and after a final three week siege, the Royalists
surrendered, and those remaining were allowed to retreat. The castle
was slighted, and became derelict.
However, the stone houses and walls of Sandal bear testimony to the castle's
former glory.
Sandal had its own local government until 1909, when it merged with
Wakefield.Note:- The Duke of York mentioned in this piece,
had NO connection whatsoever with 'The Grand Old Duke' of nursery rhyme
fame.
Further information about Sandal may be found in the writings of
Brenda Andrassy & Mary Ingham
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Kettlethorpe Hall |
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George Norton inherited the Hall from
Margaret Vaughan in1836. It was here that the drama of a very public divorce
was carried out. Caroline Norton was alleged to have had a relationship with
the P.M. Lord Melbourne. At that time, all money, property, & children
belonged to the husband by legal right. Caroline Norton was the first woman
to challenge this rule.
The three houses referred to the Plough, Cross Keys and the Magpie, all
former Inns on this site. It was here that John Nevison the highway man was
arrested by the Constable of Sandal
The Cock & Bottle, in1758 was the
birthplace of George Scholey, who became the Lord Mayor of London. He died
in1839, leaving £10,000 to Sandal. half for the benefit of the poor, and
half to the Trustees of the Endowed School
Members from the Palm Sunday
Group of the Towton Battlefield Society set off for
their annual wreath laying ceremony.
The
Sandal Feast
was well established before 1871, and lasted several days. It was held each
September, and included a cricket match with another local team.
Athletic contests were fun events. Amusements and stalls were erected by the
Castle Inn. Lastly a dance was held on the Bowling Green, and a 'Vicars
Ball' was held in Sandal Endowed School
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