Place details
Place namePontefract
CountryUnited Kingdom
Latitude53.683
Longitude-1.305
SourceThesaurus of Geographic Names
Overview
Little survives of Pontefract Castle, built in 1082 by Ilbert de Lacy; the castle was site of Thomas, Earl of Lancaster's sentencing to death in 1322 and was also where Richard II, James I of Scotland, and Charles, Duke of Orleans were imprisoned over the years. The town became known for the manufacture of liquorice for centuries. It is now a marketing and shopping center with various light industries.