Situated on the east side of England, on the North bank of the river Humber. The area of Hull is believed to have been inhabited since the early Neolithic period. However with little to no evidence of any substantial settlement within the area.
The earliest record of a settlement in the area is Myton, which is not listed in the doomsday book. At this point William the first (William the Conqueror of the house of Normandy) was nearing the end of his reign. It’s worth noting that whilst technically at this point in time England is fully under Norman rule, the Viking rule had ceased only 20 years prior. Most of Northern England will likely have had many Viking customs and traditions embedded in society, especially in the north were Danelaw had established from 865ad to 954ad.
By the late 12th century the monks of the near by Meaux abbey, created the new town of Wyke. The name Wyke comes from the Scandinavian language and means creek i.e. the river Hull. Meaux abbey is situated just outside Beverly, around 7 miles a 15 minute car journey outside Hull). The monks were in need of a port from which they could export wool from their estates. Although the exact year that Hull was founded is unknown, it was first mentioned in 1193 as Wyke on Hull. At this point Richard the first (Richard the Lionheart of the house of Anjou was on the throne).
Both Myton and Wyke remain in use as political ward areas in Hull.