20th November, 2017. Humberside larger period houses (cont.).

The northern part of the plain of Holderness has a lower density of period houses than the southern and central parts already covered (this excluding Burton Agnes Hall, s.p.b.). This is related somewhat to the fact that the ‘carr-lands’ (riverine alluvium soils) of north Holderness were less fertile and more problematic to drain than the estuarine alluvium soils further south. Thus the area was only attractive for the siting of ‘family seats’ in relatively modern times (e.g. the construction of Barmston Drain, which significantly improved the drainage of north Holderness was only dug between 1799-1802.

Across the arc of the Yorkshire Wolds a similar pattern emerges although for different reasons. In the ‘High Wolds’ (north) Sledmere and Sewerby (the latter above the rising chalk cliffs north of Bridlington) stand proud while to the south the greater density includes halls at South Dalton, Hotham, Rowley and Brantinghamthorpe.

Of course in all areas substantial post-enclosure out-of-village farmhouse and farmsteads often vied for status with local halls while in the south of the Yorkshire Wolds by the mid 19th century many large relatively new properties were built by wealthy families grown rich on the trades and commerce of Hull, these again often challenging for status their more historic neighbours.

With this line of thought being related to Humberside some south banks halls will also be considered (for Baysgarth Park s.p.b. plus Publication).