Sandal Castle and Museum

Sandal Castle and Museum

Sandal Castle
Manygates Lane
Wakefield
West Yorkshire
WF2 7DG

Tel: 01924 249 779

Web: Sandal Castle and Museum

About Sandal Castle and Museum

Sandal Castle was probably first built in the early 12th century after William de Warenne received the Manor of Wakefield from Henry I in about 1106.
The earthwork motte and bailey castle was probably completed by about 1130.
The archaeological evidence suggests that the rebuilding in stone started at the very end of the 12th century and continued throughout much of the 13th century. The only documentary records relating to the building work are references to materials being supplied for building work in 1270 and 1275.
Apart from a short period after 1317 when the castle was attacked and captured by Thomas Earl of Lancaster and remained in Lancastrian or royal possession for ten years, the castle continued to develop under the de Warennes until 1361.
From 1361 the castle was in the hands of royal owners, who were largely absentee landlords and no further major building work seems to have taken place until 1484/5 when Richard III ordered building works to make Sandal suitable as a base for a permanent household in the north. His defeat at Bosworth in 1485 brought an end to any further development at Sandal. The only major event of the Wars of the Roses to take place here was the Battle of Wakefield on 30th December 1460 at which the Duke of York was mortally wound