East Yorkshire holds secrets that will make your jaw drop. From a servant’s daring plot to assassinate a king to ghostly monks haunting a modern housing estate, this region is a treasure trove of untold stories. But here’s where it gets even more intriguing: what if these tales aren’t just folklore, but clues to a deeper, hidden history? Over the past year, the Hidden East Yorkshire podcast has peeled back the layers of time, revealing the region’s most fascinating and overlooked narratives. Let’s dive into five of its most captivating episodes from 2025—and trust us, you won’t look at this corner of England the same way again.
Lost Rivers and Public Shame: Did you know Beverley was once crisscrossed by medieval rivers that shaped its identity? Many of these waterways have vanished, buried beneath modern streets. But why? Researcher Kloskk Tyrer reveals they became cesspools of pollution, so foul they were ‘pretty stinky.’ One, Walker Beck, still flows underground, a silent witness to centuries of change. And this is the part most people miss: a town pond was once the site of public punishment for women. What crimes warranted such humiliation? The answers are as murky as the rivers themselves.
A Servant’s Deadly Fast: Nearly 500 years ago, Mabel Brigge, a humble servant from Holmpton, attempted to kill King Henry VIII using a ‘black fast’—a ritual of bread and water she believed granted magical powers. When her plot was exposed, she was executed. But was Mabel a lone conspirator, or a pawn in a larger game? Her story raises questions about power, rebellion, and the lengths people will go to challenge authority. What do you think—was she a victim or a villain?
Fairies and Ancient Rituals: Willy Howe, a Neolithic burial mound, is said to be a gateway to fairyland. Legend claims that running around it nine times and pressing your ear to the ground lets you hear fairies singing and dancing. Located in the Wold Newton Triangle—Britain’s third most important area for ritual monuments—this site is steeped in folklore. But is it just myth, or is there something more to these tales? And this is the part most people miss: the triangle’s rich paranormal history might just challenge your beliefs about the past.
Henry VIII’s Forgotten Fortress: When Henry VIII visited Hull in the 1540s, he ordered the construction of the South Blockhouse, a fortress bristling with cannons and ‘enormously thick’ walls. Designed to protect his ‘king’s town,’ its ruins now lie beneath a coach park near The Deep. But here’s where it gets controversial: was this a symbol of protection or oppression? Did Henry’s fortifications safeguard Hull, or were they a reminder of his tyrannical rule? Weigh in below—what’s your take?
Ghostly Monks of Bransholme: For years, residents of Hull’s Bransholme estate have reported sightings of ghostly monks near waterways like the Foredyke Stream. Why monks? Just miles away lie the ruins of Meaux Abbey, founded in 1150 and demolished in 1542. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, these stories keep the abbey’s history alive. But here’s the question: are these sightings mere folklore, or is there something more mysterious at play? Let us know what you think in the comments.
Ready to explore more? Listen to Hidden East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch the latest Look North episode, or share your own local story. And don’t forget to download the BBC News app for more captivating tales. East Yorkshire’s secrets are waiting—are you ready to uncover them?
