Construction materials: Sandstone Current condition:
Substantial motte and ruined stonework Current owner:
City of Wakefield MDC Location:
United Kingdom.
Sandal
Castle is a ruined medieval castle in Sandal Magna, a suburb of the
city of Wakefield in West Yorkshire, overlooking the River Calder. Wakefield has a very large range of cultural attractions: one of
Europe's foremost sculpture parks, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, what
was to have been the Duke of York's stronghold in the North, Sandal
Castle, the nearby National Coal Mining Museum for England, a
town-centre art gallery and a museum.
The original
castle was made from wood and was replaced by stone from about the
year 1240, it was built by John the 7th Earl de Warenne. His son also
called John had a big fall out with the Earl of Lancaster which led to
the castle being attacked and burnt to the ground in 1317. The castle
was not rebuilt until 1322 onwards. It then changed hands and was
owned by Richard the Duke of York. Richard declared himself the king
of England which did not last too long as he was killed in the battle
of Wakefield one of the many Wars of the Roses battles. The last siege
of the castle was during the reign of King Charles in 1645. The
following year the castle was pulled down by order of the Parliament.
The ruins of Sandal Castle can still be
visited. They are set in pleasant parkland near Pugneys Country
Park, a popular walking spot for locals.
Sandal
Castle is a ruined medieval castle in Sandal Magna, a suburb of the
city of Wakefield in West Yorkshire, overlooking the River Calder.
The original
castle was made from wood and was replaced by stone from about the
year 1240, it was built by John the 7th Earl de Warenne. His son also
called John had a big fall out with the Earl of Lancaster which led to
the castle being attacked and burnt to the ground in 1317. The castle
was not rebuilt until 1322 onwards. It then changed hands and was
owned by Richard the Duke of York. Richard declared himself the king
of England which did not last too long as he was killed in the battle
of Wakefield one of the many Wars of the Roses battles. The last siege
of the castle was during the reign of King Charles in 1645. The
following year the castle was pulled down by order of the Parliament.
