Colonel John Morris was born in South Elmsall.  He trained as a soldier with his uncle, the Earl of Stafford, serving in Ireland and winning many honours.   

At the outbreak of the first Civil War in 1645 he was persuaded to join the Roundhead army and soon found himself involved with the seiges of Pontefract and Sandal castles.

However, when Cromwell came to set up his New Model Army Morris's cavalier lifestyle was not approved of and he was not given a commission.  

This angered him and he decided to return to the Royalist cause.   At the beginning of the second Civil War the King needed a diversion while he moved his northern armies against Cromwell in the south. 

Morris and a small group of Royalists cunningly recaptured Pontefract Castle and held onto to it for the ensuing 10 months against a 5000 strong Roundhead seige force.  

By March 1649 the Roundhead bombardment had taken its toll and Morris accepted the terms of surrender.  Before the handover took place he escaped with another officer but they were both recaptured 10 days later near Lancaster.  

Taken to York they were tried for treason and sentenced to death.  On 23rd August 1649 they were hanged, drawn and quartered.