Hull came into being in the late 12th century owing to the strategic importance of the East Coast and the need for a trading facility for the monks of Meaux Abbey.

A summary of the history can be found in the wikipedia article: Kingston upon Hull.

Hull is situated on the banks of the river Hull and adjacent to where that river joins the Humber estuary. Hence it became an easy target for bombing in WW2 and is the most devastated city in Britain after London, but it was never named in news reports, just referred to as "an east coast town".

During the nineteenth century Hull's affluence increased owing to its favourable location for access to the continent. Exports of wool, imports of timber, and migrants from oppressed minorities travelling to the New World are reflected in Victorian architecture much of which is still in existience in spite of the devastation referred to above. The city's first public park, Pearson's Park, was opened in 1860 and remains in use as a delightful public space.

Until the opening of the Humber Bridge in 1981 access from the south was via the ferry across the Humber, and whilst the Ouse Bridge carrying the M62 had been opened in 1976, through traffic in Hull was essentially traffic for the North Sea route to the continent.

Government statistics for Hull create a skewed understanding of the nature of the city, the boundary being drawn to include much of the social deprevation evident in most cities but to exclude the social benefits of the outlying conurbations of Hessle, Kirk Ella, Cottingham, Beverley, and Hedon. At the height of the fishing industry the aspiration of the fisherman in Hessle Road was "to be a different sort of fellow, 'ave an 'ouse out in Kirk Ellow".

As we move into the 21st Century Hull is once more beginning to thrive (although the government could do much to help by re-instating the funds unfairly slashed in the drive to "austerity" and by supporting the electrification of the rail network), with new industrial investment, and with the City of Culture accolade for 2017.

The definitive history for Hull may be found by clicking on the BHO (British History Online) Logo to the left.

East Yorkshire is essentially the chalk land of the wolds north of the Humber, the lower lying lands between York and the wolds, and the glacial deposits between the chalk lands and the north sea. It is an area of great antiquity with numerous anciant burial sites together with the more modern Roman remains on the north bank of the Humber.

A summary of the history can be found in the wikipedia article: East Yorkshire.

In Roman times the area described as "noth Humberland" was associated with the Parisi tribes, and the centre of the Parisi activity may well have been Brough. Brough is located at a crossing point of the Humber for a traveller passing from the chalk uplands (wolds) south of the Humber to the foothills of the chalk uplands north of the Humber. The foothills are thought to have afforded easier traveling than either the undrained plains or the wooded hills.

Please see: Celtic Kingdoms for more information.

Some attempt has been made to capture and preserve the culture of Holderness, and this has resulted in a book entitled "Hidden Holderness". The book is available for purchase at the Meridian Centre, see: Hidden Holderness Guide – Withernsea Town Council for more information.