ed this privilege is uncertain.[1]
After the Conquest, this manor, with 150 others, or the greatest part of
so many in Yorkshire, besides ten in Nottinghamshire, and four in
Lincolnshire, were given by William to Hildebert, or Ilbert de Lacy, one
of his Norman followers, who _built the Castle_. The work occupied twelve
years, and it was finished in 1080. The labour and expense of its erection
was so great, that no person unless in the possession of a princely
fortune, could have completed a work of such magnitude. Hildebert was
succeeded by his son Robert, commonly called Robert de Pontefract, from
his being born at that town. Robert enjoyed his vast possessions in peace
during the reign of William Rufus; but after the accession of Henry I. he
with more ambition than prudence, joined with Robert, Duke of Normandy,
the King's brother, who claimed the crown of England. In consequence of
this transaction, Robert de Lacy was banished the realm, and the castle
and honour of Pontefract were given by the King to Henry Traverse, and
afterwards to Henry De-laval.[2] Robert de Lacy was, however, restored
after a few years exile, and the property continued in the Lacy family
till the year 1193, when another Robert de Lacy dying without issue, the
estate and honour of Pontefract devolved on his uterine sister Aubrey de
Lisours, who carried these estates of the Lacys by marriage to Richard
Fitz-Eustace, constable of Chester. Thence they descended to John
Fitz-Eustace, who accompanied Richard I. in his crusade, and is said to
have died at Tyre in Palestine. Roger, his eldest son, also in the crusade,
succeeded to his honour and estates. He was present with Richard at the
memorable siege of Acre. On his return to England he was the first of his
family that took the name of Lacy, in which Pontefract Castle continued
till 1310, when Henry de Lacy, through default of male issue, left his
possessions to his daughter and heiress, Alice, who was married to Thomas,
Earl of Lancaster; and, in case of a failure of issue from that marriage,
he entailed them on the King and his heirs.

The Earl of Lancaster, it will be remembered, became embroiled with Edward
II. and his minion Gaveston, who partly through the interference of
Lancaster, was beheaded at Warwick after a siege in Scarborough Custle.
The King swore vengeance for the death of his favourite, which led this
weak sovereign into a long series of dissentions with the barons, at the
head of