Watton, East Riding of Yorkshire

Watton is a village and civil parish in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. The village is situated on the A164 road, about 6 miles (9.7 km) north of Beverley and 6 miles (9.7 km) south of Driffield.

Watton
Watton Location within the East Riding of Yorkshire
Population	259 (2011 census)[1]
OS grid reference	TA016501
Civil parish	Watton
Unitary authority	East Riding of Yorkshire
Ceremonial county	East Riding of Yorkshire
Region	Yorkshire and the Humber
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	DRIFFIELD
Postcode district	YO25
Dialling code	01377
Police	Humberside
Fire	Humberside
Ambulance	Yorkshire
UK Parliament	Bridlington and The Wolds
List of places UK England Yorkshire 53.937501°N 0.453516°W / 53.937501; -0.453516

According to the 2011 UK census the civil parish of Watton had a population of 259,^[1] an increase on the 2001 UK census figure of 238.^[2]

History

In the 6th century Watton was home to a Frankish saint, Monegunda^[3] of Watton^[4] and in the 13th century to William de Malton, master-mason who built Beverley Minster^[5] was buried here. The Venerable Bede in his Ecclesiastical History of the English People tells of a miracle of Saint John of Beverley that took place in Watton. It is also the setting for the 12th-century miracle story De Sanctimoniali de Wattun.

Watton Abbey

Watton is the location for Watton Priory which was a Gilbertine double monastery founded in 1150 by Eustace fitz John.^[6] The present building dates mainly from the 14th and 15th centuries, although it has earlier origins, and a house was added in the 19th century. It is a Grade I listed building.^[7][8] The priory was dissolved in 1539 by Henry VIII. The Nun of Watton, famous from Ailred of Rievaulx's De Sanctimoniali de Wattun, is noted for her pregnancy while in the priory.

Near to the priory is the Church of St Mary which was designated a Grade I listed building in September 1966 and is now recorded in the National Heritage List for England, maintained by Historic England.^[9] The church building is primarily of 15th century construction but some 13th century materials remain,^[10] while the south porch, and north vestry are dated 1859. The parapet to tower is 20th century.

Etymology

The origin of the word Watton is uncertain, but suggestions include:^[11][12]

• Old English wád, or woad, and ton meaning small farming settlement; or
• waden meaning ford; or from waétan meaning watery.