Hastings

I recently visited the historic town of Hastings which is in a neighbouring county, and whilst I enjoyed my visit, it got me to thinking about richness and importance of the town within the history of England. I thought I would share a little with you, so if you start to nod off, don't say I didn't warn you!!

Before the riveting history lesson, a few of my pics.

This is the bonfire the local council were constructing on the beach in readiness for 5th November celebrations.

Organised displays are usually worth attending as the bonfires are bigger and the fireworks which can be purchased by a company for public displays are 1000% bigger, better and brighter than the selection available for private purchase.

East Hill Funicular Railway. The UK's steepest funicular railway which opened in 1902. We decided to ride it to the top and to explore the Hastings Country Park, with it's spectacular views over the town.

We have a similar Cliff Lift in my home town, which although I have lived here for 35 years, I have never riden. Ours is unusual in that it is one of the oldest water balanced funicular lifts in the UK.


This was taken on top of the cliffs after disembarking from the lift. The area above the town, known as Hastings Country Park is truly beautiful, and the quiet, peaceful aura is in stark contrast to the bustle of the busy town below.




The cliff face itself is formed from limestone and has a range of colours and interesting contours which make it quite the most beautiful cliff face I have seen in a long time.





Hastings boasts the largest beach launched fishing fleet in the UK and has miles of beautiful, clean beach, with well cared for lawn areas and promenades.

There is ample seating to sit and soak up the atmosphere, or to just gaze out to sea in a dream world of your own.

Along the opposite side of the road can be found all the usual seaside town buildings; amusement arcades in their plenty, souvenir shops selling trinkets and kiss-me-quick hats, rock shops, fish and chip shops and restaurants.


These curious weatherboarded and tarred structures date from the 17th century, before the Stade developed, and are known as Net Huts.


The existing huts were mainly built in the second half of the 19th century, often with the wood left over from the building of a new boat. The net huts of Hastings are unusually tall as a result of the lack of space on the Stade, and the relatively high rents that were charged. There was also a council regulation that they should be no more than eight feet square, and since the fishermen needed to store several different kinds of net and other gear, the answer was to build upwards.

... and so to the history of the town...



It is best known in history for the 'Battle of Hastings' in 1066, here's a light-hearted and brief run down on the battle:

The Invader:
William, Duke of Normandy (aka Willy), later known as William the Conqueror or his correct title of William I. He was born in 1027 but his parents were never married (tut tut) and he was often known as “William the Bastard” to his enemies.

In 1051 Willy met Edward the Confessor (aka Big Ed). Willy claimed that at this meeting Big Ed promised him the throne of England when he died. With no proper witnesses to this Willy was in for a fight, quite literally.

He was an experienced military leader. He had fought and defeated the king of France in 1054 and 1057, and he showed no mercy to those who opposed him. His men were well schooled and well equipped (in the armour sense that is. History books make no mention of their manhood!).

The Defender:
Harold of Wessex (aka Hal), who was born about 1022. Hal’s father, Godwin, Earl of Wessex, was the most powerful nobleman in England, and when he died in 1053, Hal succeeded his father as Earl of Wessex, and became a loyal supporter of Big Ed.

Between 1052 and 1066 Big Ed put all his energy into the building of Westminster Abbey in London, and Hal commanded the king’s army gaining a reputation as a skilled leader. His army was a mixture of professional soldiers and men who had been collected on the march south.

In 1063, Hal led an English army into Wales and it is reported that his army killed every adult Welsh male they came across, (probably wanted the sheep for themselves huh?).

In 1064 poor unfortunate Hal was handed over to Wills after finding himself shipwrecked on the coast of Ponthieu. Hal then went with Wills into battle. It is after one such battle that it is written that Hal promised Willy he would support his claim to the throne of England when Big Ed croaked it. With this ‘promise’ Willy let Hal go home to England, where Hal immediately back tracked saying the promise was forced out of him in exchange for his freedom and as such had no legal status. (Don’t you just love the way they used to be able to make the rules up as they went?)

Are you all still with me?

Big Ed died in January of 1066 and it was decided by the most powerful nobelmen that Hal should be the new king.

Holy mother of God. How do you think Willy took that? Well the big sneak, he took his vast army and landed at Pevensey Bay and plotted and rested whilst Hal was still way up north. When Hal and his army reached Hastings, knackered from their 250 mile hike (if only they had used public transport!!!) Willy and his army whipped his ass. Wills then marched through Sussex and Kent, crushing all who dared to resist him and had himself crowned King William I on Christmas Day in Westminster Abbey, London.


It's brief, but concise!