What's with all these Hall Garths in the East Riding? More mediaeval manors.

You might notice that there are many sites named Hall Garth around the East Riding. The name indicates a site of some antiquity, usually the site of a mediaeval moated manor. Garth was a Norse word for an enclosure and later a garden. In the Middle Ages before extensive drains were constructed most of what is now arable land around the Hull valley was marshy and frequently flooded. Those who could afford to do so would build on a moated platform to manage the flooding issue. This also offered a defensive aspect but this may have been a secondary consideration. Sites named Hall Garth can be found at the following locations:-

• Beverley - common land facing the Minster across Keldgate. This was the site of the archbishop's palace, of which the earthworks can still be seen in the pasture where a noticeboard gives more information about the site. It was known as Bishop's Dings also. Dings in old Germanic languages meant a place of assembly or trial. The buildings probably included a jail as the Archbishop carried authority in mediaeval times akin to a king. Excavations of the site revealed that there were a number of substantial buildings and a timber bridge which may have been a drawbridge over the moat. 
• Hornsea - the earthworks of Hall Garth are still visible in what is now a park, including parts of the moat. The manor belonged to St Mary's Abbey in York. 
• Goodmanham - the listed building now on the Hall Garth site is not the mediaeval one but the 19th Century Rectory.
• Burstwick: Burstwick was a Royal manor and one of the most influential in the country in its day. It was an extensive, square-moated site, probably fortified. The buildings included a dovecote, windmill, two chapels and inner and outer gatehouses. There are fishponds and other remains also.
• Lockington - south of the village, now occupied by a house of the same name which dates from the 1600s.
• Bishop Wilton - Archbishop Neville built his manor here and the earthworks can  be seen at the eastern end of the village. The moat is still partially flooded. There was probably a gatehouse in the South West corner. There are remains of two mediaeval fishponds. The village also has a very impressive Norman church which features on the Sykes churches trial. 
• Leven - to the west of the village. The manor of Leven was said to have been given by Edward the Confessor to the collegiate church of St John of Beverley who retained it until the Dissolution. The farm at Hall Garth has been so called since at least 1650 and is likely to be the site of the manor house. Heigholme was added to the manor of Leven and was the location of a moated manor house which was eventually replaced by Heigholme Hall. 
• Pocklington - originally in the hands of the crown and the Dukes of Albemarle, this passed into the hands of the de Pokelyngtone family. The Hall Garth is thought to have stood at the site which later became known as Teresa Cottage. 
• Faxfleet - this little village lies in what would have been fens in the Middle Ages. Some of the land belonged to Thornton Abbey across the water in Lincs - still the site of one of the UK's most impressive late monastic gatehouses. The manor itself came into the possession of the Knights Templars - indeed, it was some of the first land given to the Order in England. This was probably given by the Lords of Broomfleet. . They established a preceptory at North Ferriby. 

Other sites which are not called Hall Garth but are moated sites of a similar nature include Cowick, North Duffield, Riccall, Howden, Leconfield, Cherry Burton, Bishop Burton, Scorborough, Roos, Hedon, Winestead, Harpham, Kexby, Everingham, Haisthorpe, Bransholme and Etton . Whether the name of the Cottingham residential home Hallgarth has any historical origins I have not been able to establish but its location near the original central crossroads of the mediaeval village near to the parish church suggests this.