Dr Helen Fenwick from the University of Hull reviewed nearby deserted medieval settlements looking at the causes of their demise. 

Her first point was that the Black Death was not a major cause of desertion. For instance, Hilderthorpe saw a slow decline, and Sewerby was resited by the landowner away from Sewerby House.  Also, many of the East Ridings villages have been lost to coastal erosion.

Changes in land use caused many villages to decay as cultivated land was turned over to sheep pastures and less manpower was required. All that is left are the humps in fields left by the demolished tofts and crofts, and written records from medieval times.

Helen used Gainsthorpe in north Lincolnshire, Eske near Beverley, and Wharram Percy south of Malton as her main examples.

There are around 3000 lost villages recorded by the Deserted Medieval Settlement Research Group. Helen says much of this information is being put on line.

The vote of thanks was given by Eileen Johnson.