insideSUSSEX Magazine Issue 18 - August 2016 | Page 89

TOWNSPOTLIGHT

S P OT L I G H T

O N

BATTLE

BY LISAMARIE LAMB

Situated in East Sussex, Battle is named after – no surprises – the infamous Battle of Hastings.
The town is built on the site of the fight between Harold Godwinson, the Saxon king, and his
Norman invader nemesis, William II of Normandy. We all know how that ended, but there is much
more to Battle than the events of October 14th 1066, and it is a unique and inspiring place to visit.

History in Brief
Before 1066, there was no town of Battle. It was
only after William the Conqueror’s history-making
victory that the town began to grow. It started
with William’s abbey (Battle Abbey), which
was built between 1070 and 1094. The king
had vowed that he would build a tribute to his
conquest, and it is thought that the high altar of
the abbey is built directly on the spot where his
enemy died. Over time, more and more buildings
were erected in the area, including the impressive
abbey gatehouse, which was built in 1338.

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Most of the cottages that can still be seen
around the ruins of the abbey date from about
1700, although the church is a 12th-century
building that includes 14th-century wall
paintings and a lovely Norman font.
Collectively, Battle’s architecture is a mix of
ages and styles, but the town’s atmospheric
and historical air all stems from that fateful
1066 day.