Battle
Battle is a small town in East Sussex, located 55 miles (89 km) south southeast of London, 32 miles (51 km) east of Brighton. Main attraction we have visited there was The Abbey:
Battle Abbey was founded to commemorate the battle, and dedicated in 1095.
It and the abbey church were initially dedicated to Saint Martin, sometimes known as “the Apostle of the Gauls”, and named in his honour.
Hastings (1066 A.D)
Then we headed Hastings:
Historically, Hastings can claim fame from the Battle of Hastings, and later because it became one of the medieval Cinque Ports. Hastings was, for centuries, an important fishing port; although nowadays less important, it still has the largest beach-based fishing fleet in Europe. The town became a popular spot for ‘taking the waters’ (therapeutic bathing in the sea) in the 1760s, and then, with the coming of the railway, a seaside resort.
Nowadays Hastings lost its brilliance and importance. Old Pier does not look interesting either.
Next point was:
Pevensey Castle
In late 1066 the Roman fort at Pevensey was occupied by the Normans; much of the Roman stonework still existing today is due largely to the work of Robert, Count of Mortain (half brother to William), who was granted Pevensey Castle shortly after the Norman Conquest. Robert de Mortain used the remains as the base for building his castle, carrying out only minor repairs to the walls forming the outer bailey, and building a new inner bailey at the eastern end.
The castle was besieged several times during the 11th–13th centuries. An order by Queen Elizabeth I that it be demolished and an attempt at demolition during the Puritan times were both unsuccessful: the order was ignored and only a few stones were removed on the two occasions. As late as 1942 small additions were made to the castle for the defence of Britain, when it became a lookout over the channel for German aircraft during World War II.
Today the castle is in the upkeep of English Heritage.
Beachy Head
And of course we visited famous Beachy Head on the way back home 🙂
Photography by Paulaart18 