Skipsea Castle was built in and around 1086, in the years following the Norman Conquest by Drogo de la Bouerer, the First Earl of Holderness, in order to defend against Viking raids. He is related to William the Conqueror through marriage to William's cousin, and participated in the Norman Invasion of England. For this, William the Conqueror placed Drogo's name on the "immortal Roll of Honour of Battle Abbey at Senlac or Hasting", and rewarded Drogo with "so-called 'isle' of Holderness".
Advertisement
In the 13th century, William de Froz II, Lord of Holderness rebelled against the king. As a result, in 1221 William de Froz II was excommunicated and Skipsea Castle was destroyed. Eventually, William de Froz II reconciled with King Henry III in 1227. Skipsea Castle was returned to William de Froz II, but without any defences. According to local historians, "the gap in the earthwork known as the Scotch Gap is evidence of this".