War Dike

Has been described as a Possible Linear Defence or Dyke

There are earthwork remains

NameWar Dike
Alternative NamesSteindic
Historic CountryYorkshire
Modern AuthorityNorth Yorkshire
1974 AuthorityNorth Yorkshire
Civil ParishStainton Dale

Earthwork remains of a dyke, known as War Dike, located near the eastern coast of the North York Moors overlooking the sea to the north east. The dyke is a medieval estate boundary. From documentary sources dating from 1184 it has been identified as the boundary known as the Steindic. This formed part of the boundary to land granted to the Knights Hospitallers of St John of Jerusalem and later to Bridlington Priory. It is one of a series of boundary features in the area which divided the land into discrete territories. Some of these divisions have their origins in the prehistoric period but continued in use into the medieval period and beyond. The dyke extends from north east to south west for a distance of 150m. It includes a substantial bank up to 5m wide and 1m high with a ditch lying to the west. The ditch measures 1m in width. At the northern end the dyke originally extended north east to the cliff edge some 150m away and at the southern end the dyke originally continued south east to the head of Staintondale. However, these further sections of the dyke have been reduced by agricultural and other activity and the full nature and extent of any surviving remains is not yet known. (Scheduling Report)

This site is a scheduled monument protected by law

Not Listed

Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceSE994999
Latitude54.3851699829102
Longitude-0.470899999141693
Eastings499400
Northings499930
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Books

  • Spratt, D.A., 1989, Linear Earthworks of the Tabular Hills North East Yorkshire p. 65-8
  • Spratt, D.A., (ed), 1982, Prehistoric and Roman Archaeology of North-East Yorkshire (British Archaeological Reports: British series 104) p. 173, 175