Hornsea Hermitage

Has been described as a Possible Timber Castle (Motte)

There are uncertain remains

NameHornsea Hermitage
Alternative NamesBeacon
Historic CountryYorkshire
Modern AuthorityEast Riding of Yorkshire
1974 AuthorityHumberside
Civil ParishHornsea

Site of a possible motte. (PastScape ref. King 1983)

Situation: The mound rises from an area of marshy, low-lying ground on the north side of Hornsea Mere.

Preservation: A minor earthwork now under permanent pasture.

Description: The earthwork known variously as the ‘Beacon’ or ‘Hermitage’ comprises a small artificial mound raised c. 1.5m above the surrounding terrain, with traces of an associated earthen causeway on the landward (north) side. Although the feature has been claimed as a motte, post-medieval origins as a hunting stand have also been suggested.

Excavation: Excavations on the summit of the mound in 1961 revealed traces of a building of ‘wattle and daub’ construction with vestiges of plaster. The results are otherwise unknown. (Creighton 1998)

Gatehouse Comments

Shown as a steep mound, on northern edge of Hornsea Mere, on 1854 map labled 'Hermitage'. Actually a low mound but part of a larger raised area of lumpy ground with some suggestion of infilled ditches. The site was excavated over 5 days by school children in 1962. The report in a school magazine reports finds of plaster and wooden building 28' x 18' with a hard packed mud floor. How much of the site could be excavated in 5 days? Probably the found building was part of a larger complex. 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?

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceTA186473
Latitude53.9086494445801
Longitude-0.194759994745255
Eastings518680
Northings447340
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

Castlefacts3