HISTORY OF NORMANTON

Normanton's modern local government background dates back to 1872 when a properly elected Board of Health was set up as a governing body in both Altofts and Normanton. This was followed in 1895 by the Urban District Council. The Urban District Council survived until 1974 when, as a result of local government reorganisation, Normanton became part of Wakefield Metropolitan District Council. However, anxious to preserve the independance of Normanton and Altofts, a successor Town Council was set up in 1974 and has continued from that date.

Normanton, together with the community of Altofts, has a long and proud history. When William the Conqueror caused his Doomsday Book to be compiled in 1086 a formal description of the place was recorded, " ...In Normentune there are six villeins, and three bordars, a priest and a church"

It was in the 16th century that there lived within the parish of Normanton one of its most famous sons, John Freeston of Altofts, who was born in 1512, and was admitted a barrister of Grays in 1544. During Freeston's life there had been a Grammar School in Normanton of which the teacher was known to have been in 1548, one Richard Johnson, a Chantry Priest. By his will, however, John Freeston, evidently seeing the necessity of a more adequate provision founded and endowed Normanton Grammar School, which continued throughout the ages to provide high educational standards in the North of England.

The other great Elizabethan has come to be known to succeeding generations as Sir Martin Frobisher. He came of an Altofts family. Among his achievements was his prowess in the Spanish Main. Admiral Sir Martin Frobisher died in 1594.