TimeRef - History Timelines - Pontefract Castle

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Pontefract Castle is located in Yorkshire to the east of Leeds. It is most famous for being the place that Richard II, the King of England, was murdered in 1400. The castle was destroyed at the end of the English Civil wars although some remains can still be visited.

Mini Timeline

1311		Lancaster's marriage provides more power
		The marriage of Thomas, Earl of Lancaster to Alice de Lacy, the heiress of the of the powerful Henry de Lacy, gave the Earl even more titles and properties. One of these properties was Pontefract Castle in Yorkshire.
1321	May 24	Meeting at Pontefract
		Lancester held the first of two meetings to gather support of Barons and the clergy to remove the Despensers from power. The second meeting at Sherborn-in-Elmet near York was held on June 28th.
1322	Qtr 1	Edward attacks the Marcher Lords
		Edward advanced up the Severn Valley and crossed the river at Shrewsbury. Several of the Marcher Lords surrendered to the King without a fight. Lancaster had moved to his base at Pontefract. The King took time to take control the castles belonging to the Marcher Lords.
	Mar 16	Battle of Boroughbridge
		Lancaster left his base at Pontract and headed north. At the bridge crossing the river Ure at Boroughbridge he was halted by an army led by Andrew Harcley, the Earl of Carlisle. Harcley held the bridge against Lancaster's attacks and Lancaster was forced to surrender. Lancaster was taken back to Pontefract Castle where Edward had taken control.
	Mar 22	Lancaster Executed
		Edward finally had his revenge for the death of Gaveston when Thomas, the Earl of Lancaster, was executed outside the walls of Pontefract Castle.
1399	Aug	Richard is captured
		Richard returned to England landing in Wales. Richard was captured at Conway Castle and was moved to Pontefract Castle where he was imprisoned.
1400	Feb	Death of Richard II
		Richard II died some time between the 9th and 17th of February 1400 while being imprisoned at Pontefract Castle. The cause of his death is not known. He died at the age of 33.
1483	Jun 25	Earl Rivers is executed
		Anthony Woodville was executed at Pontefract Castle.
1536	Oct 21	Pilgrimage of Grace
		Following the earlier Lincoln rebellion, a larger rebellion began further north in Yorkshire. This rebellion again protested against Henry VIII's unpopular policies and advisers. They wanted Henry to put a stop to the dissolution of the monasteries and they wanted the removal of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Cranmer and Henry's adviser Thomas Cromwell. The leader of the rebellion was Robert Aske, a lawyer and excellent organiser. Somewhere between 30,000 and 35,000 rebels were involved and they took control of Pontefract Castle which fell to them without any resistance.
	Dec	Rebels list demands
		At Pontefract the rebel leaders presented a list of demands. The rebels were assured of free pardons.