Sussex
This is where the Battle of Hastings took place on 14th October 1066, when William, Duke of Normandy, was victorious and Harold, King of England, died.
English Heritage Battle Abbey and battlefield, Sussex
22nd October 2014 All photos by Hetty
The battlefield – William was at the bottom of the hill, and Harold at the top
The battlefield has survived because it became part of a Benedictine Abbey founded by King William ‘the Conqueror’, in atonement.
This marks where the Abbey’s altar was, on the spot where King Harold is said to have died. (According to the Bayeux Tapestry, with an arrow in his eye).
Abbey ruins
16th-century courthouse and 14th century Abbey Gatehouse, seen from the market place
The Gatehouse and courthouse from the outer courtyard
Oldest part of the Gatehouse
The under-croft, remaining from the guest range
The monk’s dormitory, was on the first floor
Monastery remains, with 1818 thatched dairy behind
Ground floor under the monk’s dormitory
After the dissolution of the monasteries in 1538, it became a country estate.
The abbot’s lodging became a house, which since 1922 has been a school.It was rebuilt after a fire in 1931
These were the cloisters
The other side of the school
This was the Duchess of Cleveland’s walled garden – the mid 19th century layout of the garden has been recreated
The ice house
The town of Battle is directly outside the abbey walls.
‘Pilgrims Rest’, erected in 1420 on the site of an original 12th century building.
The Market Place
The Bull Inn, built with stone from the Abbey
Peppers says 1480
