Skipsea Castle, Skipsea, East Riding of Yorkshire
This is a well-preserved motte and bailey castle. It was built at some time between 1071 and 1086 by Drogo de la Beauvriére. William the Conqueror had created the lordship of Holderness, a vast area from the Humber estuary to Bridlington. He gave it to Drogo, who had fought alongside him at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. Drogo’s successors, the counts of Aumale, held the seat for the next 130 years. In the 12th century, Count William le Gros created a fortified settlement or 'borough' here. Use of the castle declined from about 1200 when the lords of Holderness moved to a manor house in Burstwick. The castle was ordered to be destroyed in 1221 when Count William de Forz II rebelled against the king. By 1350, the castle was being leased for pasture and the borough was abandoned. This site is now in the care of English Heritage (2010). Find out more.
