[1][2][3] The area was self-governing in respect of it having its own courts, with powers of oyer and terminer, to hold assizes on civil and criminal cases.
[5] The rights previously given to the town of Hull were extended to the county corporate, with the Mayor acting as the king's escheator, and with the town bailiffs replaced by a sheriff and twelve aldermen, acting as justices of the peace, with the burgesses to answer before the mayor and sheriff first, not the king.
The situation was prevented from becoming more inflamed by the arrival of the Lord Mayor of Hull, who having learned of what was happening hastened to the scene with 60 horsemen.
Subsequently, the Prior sought redress in the Star Chamber, with the Sheriff accused of riot and other crimes – the legal proceedings continued for three years at much expense, leading to the settlement that the Prior was given Willerby and Newton within his authority, whilst Hull obtained free right to the freshwater springs of Anlaby.
Newington (parishes of Kirk Ella and North Ferriby); Stoneferry; Marfleet and Newland were added in the second half of the 19th century.