East Sussex
A Visitor Guide to East Sussex

Battle

• Location
  Just 6 miles north of Hastings, or a short stroll if you are a Norman Conqueror!

The 14^th October 1066 is possibly the most momentous date in English history. On this date and in the area now known as Battle, the English army of Harold II King of England took up position Senlac Ridge. They were exhausted after their forced march from the Battle of Stamford Bridge (nr. York) where they had trounced the Viking invaders.

Now they awaited the charge of William, Duke of Nornandy's heavy cavalry.  The battle is well documented together with the events leading up to it and a visit to the site is well worth the time spent.

William had prayed for victory over the English and vowed to build a church on the site if God granted him victory. This he did and he placed the High Alter on the spot where Harold finally fell. Subsequently Benedictine Monks built the Abbey close to the site. The town of Battle grew up to service the Abbey.

Of the church that William the Conqueror built nothing remains above ground but excavations have exposed traces and the plan of its foundations is quite clear. On the site of the High Alter stands Harold's Stone, erected by the Souvenir Normande in 1903 when they visited Battle.

With the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII in the 1530s, Battle Abbey was granted to his Master of Horse, Sir Anthony Browne. Browne pulled down much of the existing buildings and converted the Abbot's lodging into a private house. This house, much restored, is now a school.

Today the main street is full of shops of many kinds, many of which cater for the ever present tourist trade.

Battle with its many medieval  houses, Abbey and  battlefield is a good day out.

Penhurst

• Location
  5 miles west of Battle, just off the B2096

Penhurst is miles from anywhere so why include it in this guide? The reason is simple, it is small but perfectly formed!! Noted in the Domesday Book when it was obviously little bigger than it is now, it consists of little more than a glorious church, manor house and converted barns.

The Church of St. Michael the Archangel dated back to the mid 14th century and is a delight both inside and out. Its 14th century wooden screen still survives. Above the pond is the manor house which is about 400 years old.

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