The castle, on a rock to the east of the town above All Saints’ Church,[1] was constructed in approximately 1070 by Ilbert de Lacy.[2] on land which had been granted to him by William the Conqueror as a reward for his support during the Norman Conquest. There is, however, evidence of earlier occupation of the site. Initially the castle was a wooden structure which was replaced with stone over time.[3] The Domesday Survey of 1086 recorded “Ilbert’s Castle” which probably referred to Pontefract Castle.[4]
Robert de Lacy failed to support King Henry I during his power struggle with his brother, and the King confiscated the castle from the family during the 12th century.[3] Roger de Lacy paid King Richard I 3,000 marks for the Honour of Pontefract, but the King retained possession of the castle. His successor, King John gave Lacy the castle in 1199, the year he ascended the throne. Roger died in 1213 and was succeeded by his eldest son, John. However, the King took possession of Castle Donington and Pontefract Castle.[5] The de Lacys lived in the castle until the early 14th century.[3] It was under the tenure of the de Lacys that the magnificent multilobate donjon was built.[2]