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Local History

Wakefield is situated on the River Calder at a point suitable for crossing, which probably accounts for its very early development as a trading centre for the local area. Certainly it was well established enough to be included in the Normans’ Doomsday Survey of 1086, in which it was known as Wacafeld. 

Wakefield was part of an estate owned by King Edward the Confessor and was still a royal manor in 1086. In 1204 the Lord of the Manor received the grant of a three day fair, increasing the town’s importance and prosperity as the wool trade grew. The arrival of immigrants, particularly in the 15th century the Flemish with their weaving skills, further enhanced the town’s importance so that by 1500 Wakefield was the most important town in the district. The Battle of Wakefield took place in 1460, and following the Civil War, Sandal Castle was demolished in 1648. 

If the wool trade shaped Wakefield’s history, coal enabled its growth. In the 12th century monks were extracting coal on a small scale near Wakefield but it was the Industrial Revolution that led to large scale demand for coal to power the new machines being developed. 

Soon textiles and coal dominated Wakefield’s industrial landscape with other industries following. The National Coal Mining Museum in the area tells the story of coal most graphically. The need for improved methods of transportation of raw materials and finished goods led to the development of the canal system and the Aire and Calder Navigation linked the town to the Humber ports. 

 There are other towns of historical importance in the area. Pontefract can trace its origins back to an ancient Brigantian settlement and a Saxon town on the site but assumed its present name in 1140. Pontefract Castle was built in the 12th century and became a royal castle in 1399 when Henry Bolingbroke, Duke of Lancaster, toppled the King, who later died in the castle. It was demolished in 1649. The town is noted for its liquorice Pontefract Cakes (or Pomfret cakes). 

Castleford is rich in Roman history. Standing on the River Aire where it joins the River Calder, it was also on the route of the Roman Ermine Street. Excavations have identified remains of a fort (Legolium) and a settlement. 

Henry Moore was born in Castleford and Barbara Hepworth in Wakefield. A selection of their sculptures is located in the Yorkshire Sculpture Park set among 500 acres of land- scaped grounds at Bretton Park, Wakefield.