Battlefields›Pilgrimage of Grace at Pontefract Castle 1536
Tudor

Pilgrimage of Grace at Pontefract Castle 1536

1536
Yorkshire, England
Also known as: Pontefract Castle falls to rebels 1536 · Pilgrimage of Grace Pontefract 1536
Era
Tudor
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Yorkshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Crown (Pontefract garrison)
Forces
Pontefract garrison c.80–150
VS
Victor
Pilgrimage rebels
Forces
Pilgrim besiegers c.3,000–5,000
Outcome
Pilgrimage rebels take Pontefract Castle, the strongest fortress in the north; it becomes their headquarters and the Archbishop of York joins them
The Battle

History & Significance

The fall of Pontefract Castle to the rebels gave the Pilgrimage of Grace its most powerful military asset and its most respectable clerical endorsement.

Casualties & Losses

Minor; castle surrendered without assault

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Protected heritage nearby

Scheduled Monuments near Pilgrimage of Grace at Pontefract Castle 1536

Pontefract Castle: part of late Saxon cemetery and town ditch, Norman motte and bailey castle and later medieval enclosure castle
Scheduled monument · ~0.4 miles
St John's Priory
Scheduled monument · ~0.7 miles
Boundary cross on the corner of Ferrybridge Road and Stumpcross Lane
Scheduled monument · ~1.3 miles
Ferrybridge Henge, a prehistoric enclosure, and two round barrows
Scheduled monument · ~1.9 miles
Churchyard cross at the Parish Church of St Luke and All Saints
Scheduled monument · ~2 miles
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