Today was a history lesson in the real. We visited the site of the battle that changed England forever.
I hope our grandchildren will appreciate and be able to use some of our photos when they have to write or do a project on England, if that still happens. We both would have appreciated the information when we were at school.
Basically Prince William the Bastard, cause he was illegitimate, lived in France, and he was promised the English Throne on the death of the current King. However Harold, who had promised the throne to William, upstaged him, and made himself King. Well William didn't like that, and he plotted and planned to use whatever force to rid Harold.
So he got his good folk to chop down trees and build boats, and eventually he and a few thousand men, horses, armour, swords and shields crossed the English Channel to land at Pevensey a small harbour within a bay on the south coast near Hastings.
They camped there for a short while then they set off and walked 10 miles up a hill through the marshes, into the woods, until they came face to face with Harold's army at the place they now call Battle. The two sides fought for one day in October 1066, and by the end of the day 7000 had been killed, and William was now to be known as William The Conqueror, and it was then through his descendants that brought us here to visit. It is a bit funny learning about my 25th great grandfather. I do know that he and I have something in common, so genetically you could say that something has passed down.
You see William was a very determined person, and he was short. Sound familiar, both things that I am!
So I hope you enjoy a snapshot of my heritage as we found it here today.
 |
| A school is now on the site of a centuries old home |
 |
| The Gatehouse, built to protect the inner sanctum |
 |
| The Battle and the story is retold on the Bayeux tapestry |
 |
| Doubled edged sword perfect for killing |
 |
| After the battle William ordered a church be built in the spot to honour the 7000 killed. His advisors decided to build it a few miles up the road on flat land. William was beside himself, when he learnt, and he insisted his instructions be carried out, so the church was built on top of the hill. Later some other buildings were built, including an underground refrigerator, where ice was collected and stored, so that there was a good supply of water in the summer. |
 |
| Imagine standing in this spot it was on the top of the hill English in the woods the French |
From our bedroom window we can see the coast where William landed, the rain finally cleared this afternoon. We had driven from the coast in 25 minutes, and his army marched the 10 miles.
The town was built up after the battle, and is certainly a lovely place, any wonder Londoners choose A Place in the Country, I think I would also!
 |
| Inside the oldest pub in the area, this was where the spit was! circa 1400 |
 |
| There once was a man with a crooked leg who lived in a crooked house! |
Did I mention the beautiful flowers? This magnolia took my eye.
It was quite heavy rain and we drove to another disused castle, John walked up to the outside, I spent the time working out how to use our English Heritage book and sights my comfortable shoes don't like the wet.
Then we drove onto Hastings, on the coast, a mixed town, lots of old terraces in rows, and on the outer more modern housing. The wind was quite brisk here, but we managed a couple of photos along the esplanade. Actually there are so many properties undergoing renovation, there must be a boom happening.
Along the beach road we went to Bexhill. Another popular seaside place to spend summer, but today it was not very pleasant at all. The stones on the beach are like rocks, boats are stored and then launched here.
 |
| Along the main road, how to walk 3 dogs the quick way |
We continued onwards to Pevensey the place where William landed. There is an ancient Roman fort/castle there, and once it was built on a peninsular which jutted out into the Bay. Over the years the bay has become silted and now Pevensey, Hythe, Rye and Hastings have lost their harbours. At the castle, William's soldiers stayed after landing and to prepare for the walk inland.
 |
| The steps to the dungeons |
 |
| Thousands camped here inside the walls |
 |
| This dungeon was for the more important prisoners |
 |
| Nodays the pidgeons call it home |
 |
On the entrance to the ruins
|
We wandered up the street to the Pevensey Court House Museum and Gaol, sort of relived Robert's adventures in the prisons. It was a really interesting place.
 |
| The courthouse, holding cells, and magistrates bench |
 |
| Was Robert in a cell like this? |
In all a very interesting day, steeped in history and understanding. Now I know that each Kingdom had a court house, (Assizes), and that it seems that the Montague side of my family may have been part of William's entourage from France. That will be for another story when we get to the Montague Family Home.
A little update for yesterday, just for my grandson, I have a photo of the skulls in the church in Hythe.
And for Cloe, a photo of the Queen's crown, which is at The Tower of London
And while we are back at the Tower of London, this is the chapel that Sir Richard Creagh, an Irish catholic priest and later saint, was buried, in the same chapel as Henry VIII wives. We were sitting next to the tomb
No comments:
Post a Comment