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Welcome to Episode #116 of That Shakespeare Life, the podcast that takes you behind the curtain and into the life of William Shakespeare.

One of the most notorious castles in all of English history is Pontefract Castle. Just one step down in the levels of punishment a criminal could receive short of being sent to the Tower of London was to find themselves imprisoned in one of the town castles, and none was more notorious in it’s reputation for death and imprisonment than Pontefract Castle. 

Known as Pomfret in Shakespeare’s plays, the bard paints a compelling story about the death of Richard II at Pontefract Castle, but what is the real history behind this iconic location? We have invited our guest this week, Neil Redfern, to visit with us and share the real history behind Pontefract Castle, as well as what’s being done today to try and save it.

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Neil Redfern is currently the Executive Director of The Council for British Archaeology, the leading independent charity promoting archaeology and the public participation in archaeology in the UK. Prior to this role he worked for Historic England (the government’s statutory advisor on the historic environment in England) in York for fourteen years, as a Principal Inspector of Ancient Monuments for Yorkshire. He was responsible for delivery of Historic England’s statutory advice on planning, listed building and scheduled monument consent applications in the region. He has an M.Phil in Archaeological Heritage Management and Museums (University of Cambridge), and a BA (Hons) in Geography and Archaeology (University of Manchester).

He has over 20 years’ experience of cultural heritage management, archaeological fieldwork, survey and assessment and museum practice through working for English Heritage, the Cambridge Archaeological Unit, the Council for British Archaeology (CBA) and the Wordsworth Trust. He is particularly interested in the practical and philosophical challenges faced in enhancing participation, securing the conservation and enhancement of heritage places and articulating their full social economic value to the wider community.

In this episode, I’ll be asking Neil Redfern about :

• By the time Shakespeare was writing his play, Richard III, in 1593, Pomfret had earned over centuries a notorious reputation for death and imprisonment. Neil, I thought this was a castle? Is Pontefract also a prison? 

• Do we know where in the castle Richard II was kept?

• Today the castle is in ruins, making its former glory somewhat hard to imagine. Neil, I would like to ask you to describe for us the castle’s physical description. What did the castle look like when it was in good condition and fully operational?

• … and more!

Pontefract Castle Giclee Print by Cassidy Cash

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Books & Resources Neil Redfern recommends:

Pontefract Castle and the de Lacy Family

Wakefield Council – Pontefract Castle – Web site with history and information on visiting the castle

 https://www.pontefractcastle.co.uk/

Dig Ventures – Unearthing the medieval gatehouse at one of England’s strongest fortresses – results and information on the recent archaeological excavation of Pontefract Castle Gatehouse and discovery of the original drawbridge pit.

https://digventures.com/pontefract-castle/

Wessex Archaeology – Pontefract Castle: The Key to The North – archaeological investigations and recording around the castle undertaken during the recent conservation works.

https://www.wessexarch.co.uk/news/pontefract-castle-key-north

The de Lacy Chronicles – The Story of the de Lacy Family and Pontefract Castle – The Key to the North

https://www.delacychronicles.com/pontefract.html

Get into Archaeology

Council for British Archaeology – An independent charity, the Council for British Archaeology brings together members, supporters and partners to give archaeology a voice and safeguard it for future generations.

https://new.archaeologyuk.org/

Pontefract Young Archaeologist Club – https://www.yac-uk.org/clubs/pontefract

Dig School – Dig School a new online programme of lively extra-curricular in-school workshops themed around archaeology. Week by week, students can enjoy developing new knowledge, ideas and transferrable skills for life and learning, including excavation. 

http://digschool.org.uk/

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