Hatfield Chase facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hatfield Chase |
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 The South Idle Bank drain looking towards Tunnel Pits |
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 Hatfield Chase
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| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| EU Parliament | Yorkshire and the Humber |
Hatfield Chase is a flat area of land in South Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire, England. This region was often covered in water. For a long time, Hatfield Chase was a special hunting ground for kings.
Later, in 1626, King Charles I wanted to drain the land. He hired a Dutch engineer named Cornelius Vermuyden to do this. Vermuyden changed the paths of the rivers Don, Idle, and Torne. He also built new channels to carry water away.
However, this big project did not fully stop the flooding. More work was done in the 1760s to fix the problem of winter floods. Today, powerful modern pumps help to keep the area dry. The story of Hatfield Chase began a very long time ago, around the end of Roman Britain.
Where is Hatfield Chase?
Hatfield Chase is located in a specific part of England. To its west, you'll find the M18 motorway. The River Ouse forms its northern edge. The River Idle is to the south. To the east, the area is bordered by the Isle of Axholme.
This region covers about 110 square miles (280 km2). It includes two large areas of peat bog called Thorne and Hatfield Moors. Hatfield Chase is part of a much larger area called the Humberhead Levels. This was once a huge wetland that covered about 770 square miles (2,000 km2).
The History of Hatfield Chase
The area was first known as Haethfieldlande or simply Hatfield. It was once a small Anglo-Saxon kingdom. We don't know much about this kingdom or its kings. Unlike other small kingdoms nearby, its name is from Anglo-Saxon times, not British.
According to old records, 'Hatfield-land' joined with another kingdom called Lindsey. After this, it became known as Hatfield Chase. This area was later part of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.
Hatfield was an important place. Around the year 680, a special meeting called a synod was held here. This meeting was led by Theodore, who was the Archbishop of Canterbury. Hatfield was also a royal home for several kings of Northumbria. A famous battle, the Battle of Hatfield Chase, happened here on October 12, 633. King Edwin of Northumbria was killed during this battle. Later, Hatfield Chase became part of the East Riding of Yorkshire.
Before the land was drained, Hatfield Chase was a very wet place. It was home to many different kinds of aquatic birds. The waters were also full of fresh-water fish.
Images for kids
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Original watercourses and the drainage scheme
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The Internal Drainage Board area showing modern high level carriers and pumping stations
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The pumping station at Bull Hassocks. The South Engine Drain runs from behind the station to the River Trent
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The pumping station at Dirtness, at the start of the North Engine Drain
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Keadby pumping station
See also
In Spanish: Hatfield Chase para niños
