Battle

Battle Abbey - Sussex

Battle, where the Battle of Hastings was fought in 1066.

The events of October 14, 1066 brought about considerable and longlasting changes to history for centuries to come as a result of King Harold's defeat at the hands of the land-thirsty Norman invaders at where is situated today this most pleasant little East Sussex market town of Battle, just a few short leafy miles north from Hastings itself.

Historically famous Battle Abbey was constructed on the personal orders of William the Conqueror to celebrate his devastating victory at The Battle of Hastings, on the site of King Harold's death at the top of the hill where the English army had skillfully held against the foreign attackers for many hours that long and fateful day.

Battle Abbey is an absolute must-visit for any tourist and anyone interested in British history. Soak up the atmosphere afterwards in the picturesque town with its antique and gift shops, cream teas and quaint surprises.

There are lovely footpaths and walks locally - the 1066 Country Walk takes you back along the route from Pevensey taken by Duke William, and then on to Rye.

To those today who constantly refer to the English as attacking other parts of the island, holding provinces under duress, they might relate the fact that the Norman (ex-Viking) conquestors continued their viscious invasion across the islands for centuries, wiping out sections of the "English" population in some areas, resulting in becoming the established ruling class across the provinces - in form, today's landed aristocracy. Nobody came to help the Saxons (who were the "English" in those days - English peasants, serfs and slaves or Saxo/British-Norman lords?) in their hour of need. If they had, today's picture would different, and Britain and Ireland might have matured into nation-states earlier.

Not far from Battle: Hastings