Wakefield

For other uses of the word, see Wakefield (disambiguation).

History

Its name is often said to derive from "Wacca's field" -- the field belonging to Wacca. However, it is more likely to have evolved from Old English wacu, meaning "a watch or wake", and feld, an open field in which a wake was held (Reaney, 1964, p.161). In the Domesday Book in 1086, it was listed as Wachefeld (Mills, 1998, p. 361). It was dubbed the Merrie City in the Middle Ages.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 1460, during the Wars of the Roses, the Duke of York was defeated near this city (then a town) in the Battle of Wakefield. The ruins of Sandal Castle can still be visited. They are set in pleasant parkland near Pugneys Country Park, a popular walking spot for locals.

Related Topics:
1460 - Wars of the Roses - Battle of Wakefield - Sandal Castle - Pugneys Country Park

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~