Historic%20Yorkshire

THE STORY OF PONTEFRACT CASTLE. 133
Afterwards Pontefract Castle was the sceneof Richard's
imprisonment and probable murder. Here, too, yetlater,
the wicked Duke of Gloucester, afterwards Richard III.,
caused to be executed,without trial, in order tofacilitate
his accession, Anthony Woodville, Earl Rivers, Richard
LordGrey, Sir Thomas Vaughan, and Sir RichardHawse.
In the reign of HenryVIII. the Castle surrendered to the
Pilgrims of Grace, who marched under the captaingeneralship
of the famous Robert Aske, who afterwards
suffered death for his share in that well-meant but unfortunate
undertaking.
On the outbreak of hostilitiesbetween theRoyalists and
Parliamentarians,Pontefract again became the scene of
contending hosts, of bloodshed, and warfare, for here died
out the last hope of the Royal party when the fortress had
ceased to be a bulwark against the Roundhead faction.
The following isan accountof this period: —
Pontefract Castle was held by Colonel Cottrell for the
Parliament, whose tactics had given them supremacyin
the country. The eyes of the Royalists turned towards
Pontefract, and more than once had attempts been made
to take the place for King Charles,but hitherto all the
assaults had endedbut indisappointment. At last, by the
ingenious stratagemof Colonel Maurice, a valiant soldier,
who had been disbanded by Cromwell, but who served,
greatly suspected,under Cottrell, the place was at length
secured. The garrison contained many secret adherents
to Charles, while further forces were smuggled into the
Castle Yardunder the disguise of countrymen who came
thither with provisions, vegetables, and bedding for the
soldiery. Then these country people,after laughing and
drinking in the court-yard with the garrison, threw off
their disguise, a pistol was fired, and speedily the courtyard
was filled with angry and excited combatants. The
struggle everymoment assumed a moreregularcharacter,
while carbines were now discharged in regular volleys.
Colonel Maurice, who had, in the dress of a simple
countrygentlemen,previouslymovedamongthepretended