| The Great Saxon Earls Morcar and Edwin (to whom belonged the district
North of Castleford at the time of the Conquest) were so exasperated by the
severity of the Norman overlords that they rebelled and expelled the Norman
Garrison from York. William the Conqueror returned from Normandy, marched
his army along old Ermine Street and was detained three weeks at Castleford
by the inundation of the Aire. When the waters subsided he crossed the Ford
and set up camp at Sherburn. From there he lay siege to York and left the
whole territory desolate. |
