II 8 Sheppayd : Coast Changes at Hornsea. 



wrecks, assize of bread and beer, and tolls from the markets, 

 the abbot claimed a toll from strangers passing through the 

 town, known as chiminage. To assist the abbots in exercising 

 their judicial functions there were gallows, tumbrils, pillory, 

 and a prison, and writs were frequently issued against the 

 abbots " by reason of their oppression and rapacious tyranny." 



The rate of erosion of the cliffs at Hornsea is very iiTegular, 

 and varies considerably over different periods. At the northern 

 end of Cliff Lane it averaged 2.5 yards for 67 years, or i67'5 

 yards in that period, whereas near the Marine Hotel, where the 

 cliffs are partly protected by groynes, the loss is only 1.9 yards 

 a year, or 123 yards in the same period. 



The erection of strong sea-defence works at Hornsea has 

 practically resulted in erosion here being stayed, otherwise 

 in time the well-known Mere would have been tapped by the 

 sea, with disastrous results to Hornsea. Mr. Matthews records 

 that within the memory of comparatively young people at 

 Hornsea, ' hotels, houses and cottages have had to be pulled 

 down owing to the persistent advance of the sea, and many have 

 been swept away by the waves.' 



It occasionally happens that the erosion of the coast is 

 not altogether a disadvantage. For example, in 1770, the 

 corpse of a murderer and smuggler named Pennel, was bound 

 roimd with iron-hoops antl hung on a gibbet on the north cliff, 

 until such time as the ' ornament ' was washed away. 



Southorpe, a township within Hornsea, contained 580 acres 

 in 1786. Now everything has been washed away. It was 

 situated immediately south of Hornsea — hence the name — 

 being the South Thorp, or village, with respect to that place. 

 In Domesday times it contained a carucate and a half of 

 arable land. 



Northorpe was formerly situated north of Hornsea, bear- 

 ing a similar position on the north side to that^of Southorpe 

 of the south. But little appears to be known of it beyond the 

 name. Poulson records that old people recollected seeing 

 stones, etc., being dug up, evidently parts of buildings. 



Hornsea Mere. 



This sheet of water has been the cause of much trouble 

 in the past, and it is evident that the fish and fowl it harboured 

 were worthy of consideration. So long ago as 1260 Wilham, 

 nth Abbot of ]\Ieaux, claimed the right of fishing in the south 

 part of the Mere, and this right was opposed by the Abbot of 

 St. Mary's. It was decided to settle the controversy by combat. 

 Champions were found on either side, and after a fight which, 

 it is stated, lasted all day, the fishing was relinquished by the 

 Abbot of i\Ieaux. 



Naturalist, 



