Hornsea Hermitage

In the civil parish of Hornsea. In the historic county of Yorkshire East Riding (Modern Authority of East Riding of Yorkshire, 1974 county of Humberside).

Possible motte. Shown as a steep mound, on northern edge of Hornsea Mere, on 1854 map labled 'Hermitage'. No sign of mound on aerial photo. Although granted to St Marys Abbey York, soon after the Conquest, Hornsea was an important possession for the house and usually had a man of rank for its seneschal. The mere, in particular, was a source of revenue from fish and fowl. Was this motte like mound a form of 'hunting lodge' for the mere, a house of some status for the seneschal and a safe place to store revenue from the mere?

The Ordnance Survey Map Grid Reference is TA187473

Air Photo from Air Photo and general mapping	1st edition OS Map from Mid to late 19th century maps
Modern Map from Landscape form and features	Modern Map from General location and route planning
Geograph British Isles occasionally has photos of the site and will usually give an idea of the surrounding landscape.

Sources of information, references and further reading

This site's English Heritage (PastScape) Defra or Monument number is 1390900
Further information may be available from the holder of the county Historic Environment Record. In particular 'grey' literature, such as watching brief reports, held by H.E.R.s is often poorly referenced and is unlikely to be recorded in this website, or elsewhere.

• Books
  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol2 p531 [possible]