Note 104b — NOTES ON PARISHES ROUND HORNCASTLE. (continued 3)

The historian Camden (“Britannia,” fol. 711, 712), gives a curious origin of the name Pontefract, which means “Broken Bridge.” He says that William Archbishop of York, returning from Rome, was here met by such crowds, to crave his blessing, that the bridge over the river Aire broke beneath their weight, and great numbers fell into the river. The prayers of the saint preserved them from being drowned, and hence the name was given to the place. This however, occurred A.D. 1154, and, as documents exist of an earlier date, in which the name is found, as already in use, the legend would seem to be a fabrication. It is probable, says another historian, that Hildebert gave the name to the place, from its resemblance to some place in his own country where he was born; the name being of Latin or Norman origin.