Britain’s sea-bound coastlines have always been exposed to the elements. The most remote towns and villages, located right on the coast, exist on the brink. Their residents never knew the next day whether their homes and hearths would be swept away. That’s because the southeast coast of England, especially that in Yorkshire, is threatened by erosion. Because of this, many prosperous towns that existed for centuries no longer exist. One such town is Ravenser Odd, which has a rich history and bustling community. But even so, it could not resist the force of nature and eventually disappeared from the coastal area.
Representative image of underwater ruins. (under the ocean / Adobe Stock)
The vanishing port town of Ravenser Odd
Ravenser Odd was a medieval port town that existed on the east coast of England, specifically in the East Riding of Yorkshire. Located in the vicinity of present-day Spurn Head, a narrow strip of sand that separates the North Sea from the Humber Estuary, Ravenser Odd was a thriving and thriving port in the 13th and 14th centuries AD.
The name “Odd” is believed to be derived from the Old Norse word Odde, meaning a promontory or point of land, indicating an even older origin. “Ravenser” has a similar origin, also deriving from the Old Norse word Eyr Hrafn, meaning Crow’s Tongue, in reference to the shape of the promontory at this site. Therefore, the name is translated as Raven’s Tongue Promontory.
The town’s rise was largely due to its strategic location for trade and shipping. As a port town, it was founded by the Count of Aumale, around the middle of the 13th century. The founders may have been Ferdinand II of Castille, or his son, John of Ponthieu.
By 1299 AD, it was recorded that the town had over 100 houses – very large at that time – and had a thriving market. This shows that it has emerged quite quickly. That same year, it was granted county charters and was recorded as having its own warehouses, docks, jails, and courthouses. It is written that Ravenser Odd collects tolls from over 100 merchant ships each year.
In the 13th century the town was certainly more important and wealthier than Kingston-upon-Hull which lay further up the River Humber. The town even sent two of its most prominent members to the Model Parliament of 1295. However, Ravenser Odd’s prosperity was short-lived. The town faces a number of challenges, including coastal erosion and the changing course of the River Humber. These factors eventually led to the decline and abandonment of this busy coastal port.
Map showing the location of the so-called Lost Towns of the Humber, including Ravenser Odd. ( British Library )
The disappearance of Ravenser Odd
The exact date of the town’s demise is uncertain, but historical records suggest it may have been swallowed by the sea during a violent storm in the late 14th century. Some accounts also mention to the possibility of intentional destruction by rival towns or armies.
However, the heaviest blow came in the winter of 1356-1357 when the English coast was ravaged by strong winds and floods. Ravenser Odd was completely flooded and people had to abandon their homes. It’s very possible they never came back.
Just a few years later, in 1362, the devastating Saint Marcellus Flood swept across Europe, killing some 25,000 people. It also swept away and completely destroyed Ravenser Odd, wiping it from the face of the Earth.
Centuries later, scientists hope to rediscover the port town that may have been located about 500 meters from Spurn Point. Using the latest echo sounder technology and scanning the seabed, they are detecting features that suggest a complex urban layout amid what could be the ruins of an underwater city. The team working on it was led by Professor Dan Parsons, formerly a geologist at the University of Hull, and now Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation at Loughborough University.
Thanks to funding from the Higher Education Innovation Fund, the team has been able to achieve certain milestones and hopes to explore the lost, submerged city.
“We have gone about 500 meters, about 100 meters wide and the next phase will go another 500 meters. It’s like mowing the lawn, we’ll keep doing it,” Professor Parsons said. “Once we find it, we will be really interested in sending divers down there and looking for artifacts. All will have to be resolved through official channels. As a settlement, it would have had graves. But going back 700 years, it’s usually not an issue if it’s less recent, like the Titanic.”
Representational image of a medieval port town. (FrankBoston/Adobe Stock)
Ravenser Odd: Sleep under the icy waves
Who knows what wonders will be discovered under the sea and who knows how well preserved the underwater city will be? Are the wooden structures now gone or has the cold water preserved them? Regardless, it will be thrilling to see what discoveries will be made at Ravenser Odd.
Today, the city is remembered as one of the few lost medieval harbors, and archaeological evidence occasionally emerges from shifting sands in the area. The story of Ravenser Odd serves as a reminder of the dynamic and often precarious nature of coastal settlements in the face of natural forces and changing environmental conditions. The big sea is cruel.
