or POMFRET, a town of the west riding of Yorkshire in England, situated on the river Aire. It is said to take its name from a broken bridge, which is supposed to have been laid anciently over that marshy spot called the Wold. Here are the ruins of a noble old castle, where Richard II. was barbarously murdered, and two of Edward V.'s uncles. The collegiate chapel of St Clement, which had a dean, three prebendaries, &c. is still distinguishable in it. This town has a good market, and fairs for horses, sheep, and other cattle. It is a corporation, governed by a mayor, recorder, aldermen, and burgesses, and gives title of earl to the family of Fermor. In the reign of Queen Elizabeth, 200l. was left by George Talbot, earl of Shrewsbury, to be lent for ever, at 5l. a time, on proper security, for three years, to the poor artificers of the town; and Thomas Wentworth, Esq. ancestor to the marquis of Rockingham, left 200l. to the charity-school.

A branch of the great Roman military way called Erminstreet, which passed from Lincoln to York, may be traced betwixt this town and Doncaster. The adjacent country yields plenty of limestone, together with liquorice and skirrets. W. Long. 1° 18'. N. Lat. 53° 42'.