The estates of the Honour of Pontifract dominated the lands that were to become the county of West Yorkshire.

These lands contained the the greatest number of castles within the County with major sites at Pontifract,Kippax,Almondsbury and Barwick in Elmet. The manor of Wakefield, held by the crown at the time of Domesday, had castles at Sandal, Lowe hill in Wakefield and Castle Hill , Sowerby. It is difficult to date the earthwork castles even with the few sites that have been evacuated Nationwide. However, pottery from Bardsey castle indicates that it was occupied from 11-13th centuries. Also, a small evaluation at Fairies hill at Whitwood comfirms site as a Norman castle. A trench dug comfirmed construction was simular to Hastings castle. These sites have provided a great deal of information about the construction and occupancy of the West Yorks castle sites.