A Review of Large-Scale Man-Made River and Stream Diversions in the Humberhead Region

Abstract

Geological evidence shows that many Humberhead rivers and streams have been widely diverted artificially from their original natural courses, initiated about 10,600±1,100 years ago. Unfortunately, geology cannot date these course changes. Some such courses already existed by the 1570s, being shown on Saxton’s relevant county maps. No dates of their construction are recorded but some idea of their antiquity can be gleaned from the earliest references to their existence. Certain diverted courses pre-date the 1086 Domesday Survey (one being mentioned in a charter of 959). They suggest a Roman origin, possibly as part of an inland waterways system (and locally for building-stone transport). Other diverted courses, post-Domesday but pre-Saxton, may have been constructed at varying times and for more diverse purposes such as bulk transport (e.g. of building stone and peat), drainage, powering watermills and marking boundaries. The more recent major man-made diversions, those resulting from the Vermuyden Drainage and Wentworth Judgement in the 1620s and 1630s, are well documented in historical texts and maps, so only a short summary is included here.

‘for here we may read the last page of the earth’s story, where geology merges into history’ H.Franklin Parsons. 1878. The alluvial strata of the lower Ouse valley. Proceedings of the Yorkshire Geological and Polytechnic Society, volume 6, p. 214.

Keywords:

• man-made river diversions
• Humberhead
• Turnbridge Dike
• River Don
• River Derwent Yorkshire

The writer is particularly indebted to Stephen Garner, who has a thorough knowledge of the regional history and topography, to Pat Jones, who has a profound knowledge of the regional waterways and their history, and to Janet Senior, Kirsty McHugh, Sylvia Thomas, Margaret Faull and Robert Frost, all of the Yorkshire Archaeological Society, for extensive help in finding (and in some cases interpreting) library and archival sources. Their knowledge, help and advice, unstintingly given, have been of inestimable value in compiling this paper. The writer would also like to record his appreciation for many helpful discussions, over five decades, with the late George Archer, the late Johnny Birtwistle, Paul Buckland, the late William Bunting, Tony Cooper, the late Vernon Cory, Peter Halkon, Rafael Isserlin, Martin Limbert, the late Jack Lyon and Martin Taylor. Last, but by no means least, the writer acknowledges with profound gratitude the computer-manipulating skills of Mary Oliver in effecting many necessary late-stage textual changes, and to the hieroglyphic-reading and typing skills of his wife Ann, without whose efforts this text could not have progressed from scribble to typescript.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Geoff Gaunt

Geoff Gaunt B.Sc, PhD, F.S.A. is a retired geologist who worked for the British Geological Survey for 30 years. His research interests are Quaternary geology/geomorphology, geoarchaeology (especially lithology and the provenance of artefactual and constructional stone) and landscape interpretation. He is a founder member of the Quaternary Research Association. The author can be contacted via The Yorkshire Archaeological Society, ‘Claremont’, 23, Clarendon Road, Leeds LS2 9NZ.