Sandal Castle and the Battle(?) of Wakefield (1460)
Sunday 05 July
Depart: Parkinson Steps: 12.30
Arrive: Parkinson Steps: 18.30
Open to: IMC Delegates
Price: £39.50
How to Book: Advance Booking Required via IMC Registration
This tour calls at two sites that were connected to the earlier phases of the Wars of the Roses (1459-1487), as well as a connected religious site, also with alleged connections to these wars. In late December 1460, Richard of York’s castle at Sandal, just outside Wakefield, was the focal point of what has been described as the battle of Wakefield. The Duke of York was killed at this time, in an action that is said to have set the tone for much of the bloodiness that would permeate the later battles in this conflict, particularly that of the battle of Towton, which also occurred in Yorkshire, in March 1461. However, recent research has thrown much of this generally accepted story into question.
Sandal Castle was one of the castles held by the rich Yorkist claimant to the throne of England, Richard, Duke of York. Standing on a flood plain, it overlooks the River Calder and the bridge crossing at Wakefield. Although now a much-slighted ruin (it was besieged twice in the 1640s during the 'English' Civil War), Sandal Castle still has a commanding sense of scale thanks to the large earthen motte upon which it stands some 17.1m (56 feet) high. This is part of the remains of the earlier Norman castle built by one of the de Warrene family in the first half of the 12th century. The remaining stumps of a number of mid-late 13th-century walls and towers, which still retain fine ashlar work, give an indication of the high quality of the later stone castle construction. The castle was inherited by Richard, Duke of York, in 1415 and, in 1483-1484, his son, Richard III, added a large polygonal tower to the motte complex, as well as carrying out other work. In 1954, the City of Wakefield purchased the castle. One of the few castles to have been fully excavated (1964-1973), the foundations and remains of the ancillary buildings in the kidney-shaped bailey, consisting of kitchens and halls, provide good evidence of what life was like in a medieval castle. There was even evidence of alchemical work being carried out at the castle. Nearby were hunting forests where the rich magnates could entertain and from which the castle's kitchens and table could be supplied.
The so-called battle of Wakefield not only has a highly confusing topography but many of its details also still remain unclear; even the accepted date of the battle, 30 December 1460, has been queried. It is said to have been fought between a Lancastrian army of perhaps 15,000-18,000 men led by the Earl of Northumberland and the Lords Clifford, Somerset, and Ros, and a Yorkist army of no more than about 9,000 led by Richard, Duke of York.
Richard was a claimant to the throne of England, being a descendent of Edward III, and used the reign of the weak Henry VI to stake his claim. Civil war broke out in 1459. In July 1460, the Yorkists captured Henry, and, in October, under the guise of reform, the Duke of York famously placed his hand on the empty throne of England, claiming his right to the crown. The gamble paid off, and Parliament recognised Richard and his heirs as successors to Henry. However, Henry's queen, Margaret of Anjou, was determined to ensure her and Henry's baby son, Prince Edward, would become heir to the throne. A powerful Lancastrian army was assembled in northern England.
Richard marched north to deal with this threat, seemingly lodging and setting up his base at his castle at Sandal. For reasons still not fully understood, Richard apparently left the comparative safety of Sandal Castle with a group of his men and was soon engulfed by the larger Lancastrian forces outside, losing up to as many as 2,500 men. Although the Lancastrians won this battle decisively, with York and his second son (Edmund, Earl of Rutland) slain, as well as the following battle (St Albans), these victories came to nothing after the Yorkist victory at Towton in March 1461.
The savagery meted out to the defeated at Wakefield included the humiliation of the dead; the heads of York, Rutland, and Salisbury were said to have been mounted on spikes and put on display on the Micklegate Bar in York, overlooking the main road from London and the south. Richard's head allegedly bore a paper crown and a sign saying, 'Let York overlook the town of York'. Although Richard never wore the crown of England himself, two of his sons would - as Edward IV and Richard III. Recently, however, many of the generally accepted parts of this story have been questioned, and so, during the excursion, we will take the opportunity to discuss these new ideas and suggestions.
We shall also stop at the famous little mid 14th-century Chantry Chapel of St Mary the Virgin on the nine-arched medieval Wakefield bridge. Standing on an island, and integrated into the structure of the bridge itself, the chapel was licensed in 1356. Not only is it the oldest and most ornate of the surviving bridge chapels in England, but it is also one of only four surviving examples left in the British Isles. It was also allegedly near this chapel, on the bridge, that the young Edmund, Earl of Rutland was killed, whilst attempting to flee the battle of Wakefield.
This excursion will once again be led by Kelly DeVries, Professor of the Department of History, Loyola University, Maryland and Hon. Historical Consultant to the Royal Armouries Museum and Robert C Woosnam-Savage FSA, Curator Emeritus, Royal Armouries Museum.
Please arrive at the meeting point 15 minutes before the listed departure time. Sensible footwear is recommended, as there will be a significant amount of walking on uneven surfaces and climbing steep stone steps. It would also be advisable to bring raincoats, sunblock, and water. Meals and other refreshments are not included. Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
