Pontefract Lacy in 1348. King Richard II was murdered at the castle in 1400. Little is known of the precise nature of his demise; in particular Shakespeare may have "adjusted" the facts for his own purposes. There are at least three theories which attempt to explain his death: He was starved to death by his keepers, he starved himself to death or he was murdered by Sir Piers (Peter) Exton on 14 February 1399 or 1400. Fifteenth century Robin Hood ballads place the outlaw's activities in the forest of Barnsdale, the southern edge of which borders Pontefract. In particular, the medieval
Honour of Pontefract reign of King Stephen, though records dispute over whether Robert himself was still alive to regain his title or if it was his son, Ilbert. In 1294 the Honour was inherited by Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster by marriage to a daughter of the 9th Baron, which later passed to the Duchy of Lancaster. In 1625, Charles I granted the Honour to Sir John Savile, giving him the title of Baron Savile. Honour of Pontefract The Honour of Pontefract, otherwise known as the Feudal Barony of Pontefract, is a medieval English feudal barony which has existed since 1068 in present-day