Hatfield, South Yorkshire

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Map sources for Hatfield, South Yorkshire at grid reference SE664094

Hatfield is a civil parish in the Metropolitan Borough of Doncaster in South Yorkshire, England.

It is located within the historic boundaries of the West Riding of Yorkshire on the border of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, and is bisected by the M18 motorway. Junctions 4 and 5 of the M18, and Junction 1 of the M180 motorway are all within the parish.

1 Anglo-Saxon History
2 Modern Geography
3 References

[edit] Anglo-Saxon History

Section from Shepherd's map of the British Isles about 802 AD showing the kingdom of Northumbria. Click on the Picture to see the Meicen Capital - Hatfield (Heathfield)

Hatfield (also called Heathfield historically) near Doncaster is an ancient settlement and a Palace of the Northumbrian Kingdom called Meicen (may also be referred to as Meigen).

On October 12th 633 AD, King Edwin was killed in Battle at Hatfield near Doncaster by Penda, a Mercian chief. Penda was assisted in the battle by the Welsh under the leadership of the fierce Caedwalla. Osric, a possible successor to Edwin was also killed in the battle. Edwin’s son Edfrith also surrendered to Penda. See Battle of Hatfield Chase

It is thought that this battle gave rise to name of 'Slay Pit Lane' in Hatfield where it is rumoured that the battle took place and the bodies of soldiers lay close by.

[edit] Modern Geography

Hatfield contains the following villages:

[edit] Dunscroft

Dunscroft lies on the A18 road, about 6 miles (10 km) from the centre of Doncaster. It is located at approximately 53°34′10″N, 1°1′0″W, at an elevation of around 5 metres above sea level.

[edit] Dunsville

Dunsville lies on the A18 road, about 5 miles (8 km) from the centre of Doncaster. It is located at approximately 53°33′40″N, 1°1′30″W, at an elevation of around 5 metres above sea level.

[edit] Hatfield

Hatfield lies on the A18 road, about 7 miles (11 km) from the centre of Doncaster. It is located at approximately 53°34′40″N, 1°0′0″W, at an elevation of around 5 metres above sea level. It is served by railway stations in Stainforth and Thorne.

Hatfield has numerous public houses, including Hatfield Chase, Hatfields, BlueBell, Ingram Arms, Bay Horse, Green Tree and the Abbey. The original building known as 'the Abbey' or 'Dunscroft Grange' was demolished in 1966-7. For the last 20 years, this building was owned by Mr Harry Lewis. The old Abbey was possibly a dormitory to Roach Abbey at Maltby. Unfortunately, it had to be demolished because the masonry and stonework was unstable, being built in the 12th century

[edit] Hatfield Woodhouse

Hatfield Woodhouse lies on the A614 road, about 7 miles (11 km) from the centre of Doncaster. It is located at approximately 53°34′10″N, 0°59′0″W, at an elevation of around 5 metres above sea level. One and a half miles (2½ km) south of the settlement are the Lindhome and Moorland prisons, while to the north, on the A1146 road, is the Hatfield Young Offender Institution.

Hatfield Woodhouse also gave rise to RAF Hatfield Woodhouse. The Airfield was later named RAF Lindholme and is now the location of the aforementioned Prison.

The village pub is called the Robin Hood and Little John (and has probably always been called this, and certainly since the 1960s). This is consistent with the many Robin Hood legends suggesting that he roamed not only Sherwood Forest, but also Barnsdale Forest. The new Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield is nearby, at Finningley close to the border with Nottinghamshire. Although there has been much debate surrounding the use of the name Robin Hood in the name of the airport, the longstanding existence of the pub helps to justify the case for the name.

Recently an application has been proposed to allow the demolition of the pub and several flats to be built in its place.

[edit] West End

West End is a small village to the south-west of Hatfield Woodhouse. It is located at approximately 53°33′40″N, 0°59′40″W, at an elevation of around 5 metres above sea level.