Illegal Activity on the Holderness Coast in the 19th Century
Illegal Activity on the Holderness Coast in the Nineteenth Century
The owner of Burton Constable Hall has held the title of Lord Paramount of the Seigniory of Holderness since 1559. This title bestows on the Constable’s the authority to claim whales washed up on the shore but also to take charge of shipwrecked goods until the authorities decided what should happen to them.
British Smuggling
Smuggling and salvaging goods from wrecked ships have taken place all around the British coastline at one time or another. Yorkshire men and women have always believed in taking advantage of opportunities that came their way. With 120 miles of very varied coastline in Yorkshire from rugged cliffs to deserted beaches, it is no surprise that smuggling and wrecking have been recorded in this region!
Preferred Contraband
Although the typical smuggled cargo that springs most easily to mind is alcohol, tea and tobacco smuggling was equally as common. The Holderness coast appears to be among the last bastions of the traditional style of smuggling. The broad, straight sweep of the coastline from Bridlington down to Spurn Point would appear to have been commonly in use for the landing of contraband up to the middle of the nineteenth century.
Seigniors of Holderness
The owner of Burton Constable Hall holds the title of Lord Paramount of the Seigniory of Holderness. The title has been held by the Constable family since 1559 and covers the geographical area of part of the East Riding – everything east of the River Hull to the coast, from the Humber to Bridlington.
Smuggling at Burton Constable?
At the beginning of April 1829 there was a case of illegal activity which involved several local men and premises belonging to the Burton Constable estate. A wrecked ship had been found on the beach at Sand le Mere and carts traced to Burton Constable, in particular to the water engine house which was about ¼ mile from the Hall.
The hidden goods consisted of 318 gallons of brandy, 184 gallons of geneva spirits, and 4084 pounds weight of tobacco. Although many local men appear to have been involved, only three were caught in the act of trying to retrieve them from the water engine house, and were convicted at court in Brandesburton. They were each fined £100.
