27. Waste and Water

Even on the brightest days, the narrow winding streets of medieval Hull offered plentiful shadows.  Pedestrians had to dodge tethered horses, stray pigs, and open sewers.  Anyone wandering down to the banks of that majestic river the Humber would struggle to appreciate the view with the rotting mess of the town’s rubbish dump at their feet.  It was all far from modern standards of cleanliness but the inhabitants of Hull were certainly not merrily wallowing in filth. 

In 1388 Parliament ordered local governments to keep streets in their area well maintained and free of rubbish and Hull’s ruling aldermen took this duty very seriously.  Each Saturday residents were expected to clean the section of road in front of their property and a rubbish cart was organised to go around town up to three times a week.  Although anything collected was then dumped by the Humber, at least there it was away from people’s homes and could be washed away by the tide.

The open sewers running down the middle of each street were not stagnant pools of muck but filled with running water flowing out into the Humber and were regularly cleaned to prevent blockages.  These sewers certainly didn’t add positively to the town’s ambience, but the alderman knew that for the lack of an alternative it was better then nothing. Care was taken that builders didn’t cut corners by not linking properties to the system.  In 1413 Richard Hanse was granted permission to build a courtyard of houses only if he connected them to the sewer network at his own expense.

Hull’s aldermen also concerned themselves with ensuring a supply of fresh, clean water.  By 1401 the two existing wells in Bishops Lane and Fleshmarket were insufficient for the town’s needs and shipping in additional water was too expensive.  The solution was a dyke 12ft wide and 5ft deep running all the way from Anlaby to Beverley Gate.  From here though the water still had to be physically carried across town to where most people lived down by the High Street.

By the 1440s however the aldermen had seemingly solved this problem by laying a system of lead conduits and pipes within the town walls.  Feeling justifiably proud of this achievement, a grand opening ceremony was held during which wine was sent through the pipes doubtless ensuring the party passed off in a suitably merry manner.  Sadly this visionary system was not without its teething problems so when in 1461 the town needed some ready cash, the decision was taken to dig up the pipes and sell off the valuable lead.

Picture: Close up from map by John Speede, circa 1610, showing the location of Hull’s freshwater dyke.

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26. Beating the Bounds

Stand by the ruins of Beverley Gate today looking to the northwest and before you is a sea of concrete stretching all the way to Cottingham.  For someone standing on the same spot during the Middle Ages, the view would have been somewhat different; a vista of open green fields disturbed only by some windmills and a few scattered buildings.  Though they lived in town, the people of Hull were still connected to this countryside.  Burgesses could graze their cattle, sheep or horses on the common land just outside the town walls.  Myton farm, owed by the de la Poles, was often rented out to Hull merchants like John de Dymelton who took it over in 1388.

Each April on Rogation Day, people all across England would gather together to beat the bounds of their parish.  Led by their priest, they would walk slowly in procession around the boundary of their village praying for plentiful crops in the months ahead as well as clarifying for the benefit of any envious neighbours exactly what land was theirs.  The inhabitants of Hull were keen to continue this traditional custom, so much so that they kept a number of temporary wooden bridges in storage.  Each Rogation Day these were then placed over the ditches and dykes surrounding the town, enabling people to progress around the walls and keep their feet dry.

On this walk they would have that seen that signs of urban life had escaped the confines of the town walls in a few places.  One was the archery butts.  Edward III had passed the first law requiring men to practise archery in 1363 and subsequent kings reinforced this, particularly when the country was under threat.  By the 1460s it was compulsory for towns to provide places to practice; usually a large cleared area that had earthen work mounds with targets on top at one end.  Males between the ages of 16 and 60 were expected to spend their spare time on Sundays and holidays here practising their shooting skills rather then wasting it in frivolous and pointless pastimes like football.

Just outside Myton Gate was the site of a brickworks.  Established early on in Hull’s existence, its bricks helped build the town’s churches, friaries and houses.  They were also used by nearby villages, including during the building of St James’ Church in Sutton.  As late as 1430 these works were producing 105,000 bricks a year however by 1450 they had closed; cheap imports from the great manufacturing centre of Beverley having made them unprofitable.  What remained was something familiar to any urban dweller today; a brownfield site, strewn with rubbish and ripe for redevelopment. 

Picture: Section from map of Hull by John Speede, circa 1610.

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25. Feeling at Home

Were a citizen of 15th Century Hull to be transported into its old town today, they would be confronted by a mass of mostly unfamiliar buildings.  Gradually though they would realise that the layout of the streets themselves hadn’t much altered: surely this wide road must be the marketplace – oh yes as there’s Holy Trinity now with a tower too!  I remember its nave being completed but there was no money at that time for a tower – And up there’s St Mary’s as well although its changed a bit. – Now does Silver Street here still lead down to Whitefriargate? – Is the Carmelite Friary still there?

Apart from the two churches, the only other surviving medieval building for the visitor to see is at number 5 Scale Lane which dates from around 1450.  Such homes were usually built around a timber frame with bricks being used for the ground floor, and wattle, mud and lime for the overhanging upper floors.  Situated just off the High Street, it was in a prime location favoured by merchants and likely boasted the latest in modern conveniences: a chimney rather than an inefficient central hearth; metal and ceramic tableware rather then wooden; and glazed windows, although the glass was considered part of the furniture so would be taken by each set of inhabitants when they moved.

Whatever comforts houses offered they were far from safe.  The opportunities for accidents, particularly for young children, were unfortunately plentiful.  Danger came from open fires, vessels of boiling water, and inadequate sleeping arrangements.  Plus there was the ever-present threat of disease.  Given this it was not unknown for parents to give two sons the same treasured family name so it stood a greater chance of continuing.  The mercantile Fisher family did, although fortunately both their boys survived.  Just as fortunately one son moved away so they could conveniently be known as Robert of Hull and Robert of Beverley.

Merchant families were not huge, maybe four to six people, although equally part of the household were any servants.  Around a sixth of Hull families had servants, usually just one or two but the most successful merchants had more, such as William de Sneynton who employed eight.  For young people entering service brought independence, training, and a chance to save money ready for marriage.  Young women in particular also migrated from the countryside into town to find employment in the textile trades.  Consequently Hull had a rather youthful population and one were there was ten women to every nine men, so women may have saved money for married life but they had their work cut out finding a decent husband.

Photo: Number 5, Scale Lane, Hull.

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24. On Market Day

Each Tuesday and Friday morning in 15th century Hull, one of the town’s aldermen, dressed in his finest fur-edged robes, walked out of the Guildhall into Marketgate.  As the clock of Holy Trinity reached nine, with great gravitas and solemnity he rang the bell that hung on the side of the century old Guildhall.  The noise carried right up the packed street to the furthest market stalls near Whitefriargate; a proud metallic ring worthy of the princely sum of 6s 8d that the bell had cost.  That day’s market was now officially open.

Sometimes the sheriff or town crier would accompany the alderman if there was a royal proclamation to read, or more accurately bellow, to the gathered crowd.  With people still dissecting the king’s latest news about war or taxes, the swirl of market day began - enthusiastic haggling; the clattering and chinking of silver groats and pennies; and vigorous allegations that unofficial, inaccurate weights were being used.

This activity was overseen by the market keeper, who monitored cleanliness, location of stalls, and the display of food.  The keeper was not trusted however with the cornmarket; that was the responsibility of the alderman on duty.  Although medieval diets included fish, meat and a few root vegetables, bread was the most important part of every meal.  Consequently to ensure all got their fare share, until 1pm only local householders and cooks could buy corn.  Ship-owners and the like wishing to buy in bulk had to wait their turn.

For the same reason, it was important that the king’s assize of bread was kept.  This stipulated that bakers must produce loaves of a set size, which then must be sold at set price linked to the cost of wheat.  Those who tried to make a bit extra profit by baking undersized loaves risked fines and after three offences a stint in the pillory.  Hull’s pillory was located over a shop in Marketgate and here, locked in by the arms and neck, miscreants faced the customers that they had attempted to defraud.  After 1427 a roof provided some protection from any missiles hurled their way, but there was still the public shaming.

As the afternoon rolled around trade quietened down.  With shopping done, now was a chance for the citizens of Hull to catch up with friends and acquaintances from outside town.  The market keeper could take a well-deserved rest, his day having started early supervising the fish market that was held at either six or seven o’clock depending on the season.  Hull’s inns filled with visitors looking for a bite to eat and a refreshing drink or two before beginning the journey home.

Photo: Statue of King William III at the southern end of Market Place, Hull, close by to where the medieval Guildhall once stood.

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