PRE-HISTORIC MAN IN HOLDERNESS. 83 
would have to be crossed, another though smaller bank, and then 
the space between the outer earthworks and the inner mound. 
Finally another bank and moat would have to be surmounted 
before the-steep sides of the central mound could be reached.t 
This artificial mound would also probably be surrounded by a 
stockade at the top, behind which, as a final retreat, the occupants 
would be situated. In this position, provided all the other earth- 
works had been taken by the enemy, the occupants would be fairly 
safe. It has been suggested that probably the occupiers of the 
adjacent Lake-dwellings retreated to the earthworks in times of 
disturbance. 
There can be little doubt that these earthworks were erected 
by the Britons. Poulson states that they are the work of Drogo 
de Brevere; one of the followers of William the Conquerer, to 
whom large traces of land were granted. The probability is that 
Drogo, on finding such a magnificent stronghold already in ex- 
istence, stationed himself there. He built a keep, the walls of which 
were of enormous thickness, upon the central mound. A small 
portion of the core of one of the walls of this “ keep” still remains ; 
it is made of large boulders from the coast cemented together. The 
greater part of the structure unfortunately has been carted away and 
broken up for repairing roads. Other minor alterations might also 
have been made in Norman times, but the general arrangement of 
the earthworks is absolute proof of their being of British age. 
Besides, British implements have been found on this site. Of 
course it must be borne in mind that Holderness is dotted over 
with morainic hills of gravel, and probably one or more of these 
were utilized for the construction of the Skipsea earthworks, but 
even then the planning, digging and erection of the embankments, 
moats, and mound is a work of such enormous magnitude that we 
cannot but marvel at it, having regard to the primitive implements 
and means the builders had at their disposal. Yet these are the 
people spoken of by some historians as “ savage and barbarous 
people.” The so-called “ Danes’ Dyke” which runs right across 
Flambro Headland not many miles to the north, and which is 
admittedly of British date is another fine example of their 
engineering skill. 
Notwithstanding the fact that the Skipsea mounds were 
erected about 2,000 years ago, they are still in a remarkably good 
state of preservation, so much so that it is quite an easy matter to 
prepare a restored plan of them. 
In many respects the structures at Skipsea resemble the mound 
and earthworks known as the “Castles” at Barrow Haven on the 
(1) Poulson suggests that probably this space would be flooded in cases of necessity. 
(2) Amongst others, Dr. Evans in The Hull Quarterly for April, 1886, records the finding 
of a fine socketed bronze celt, closeto the outer entrenchment. Mr.T. Boynton, of Bridlington 
has some similar specimens from the same locality. 
