Hastings Castle
| Hastings Castle | |
|
Sussex | |
|---|---|
 View of Hastings Castle | |
| Type: | Keep and bailey |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | TQ822095 |
| Location: | 50°51’23"N, 0°35’14"E |
| Town: | Hastings |
| History | |
| Built 12th Century | |
| Information | |
| Condition: | Fragmented Ruins |
| Owned by: | Local authority |
| Website: | Hastings Castle |
Hastings Castle is a keep and bailey castle ruin standing in ruin on a cliff above the main street in Hastings, on the south coast of Sussex.
History
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It appears that an Iron Age Fort once occupied the whole promentary on which the castle now stands, passed away by historical time however.
Immediately after he landed in England in 1066, William of Normandy ordered three fortifications to be built: Pevensey Castle in September 1066, Hastings (before the Battle of Hastings) and Dover Castle, a few days after the battle. Hastings Castle was originally built as a motte-and-bailey castle near the sea.
In 1070, King William issued orders that the Castle be rebuilt in stone, along with the St Mary's Chapel.
The Count of Eu held the castle for most of the Norman period. In 1090, Robert, Count of Eu, founded the Collegiate Church of St Mary, in the castle, which continued until the Dissolution of the Colleges under King Henry VIII.
During the Barons' War, King John ordered that the castle be destroyed to prevent it falling into the hands of the Dauphin Louis. In 1220, Henry III re-fortified the castle.
In 1287 violent storms battered the south coast for many months and the soft sandstone cliffs eventually succumbed to the elements. Large sections of the face fell into the sea along with parts of the castle.
In 1339 and 1377, the town was attacked by the French leaving many burnt buildings which included homes. Throughout the next century erosion was unchecked and gradually more of the castle was lost to the sea.
The Collegiate Church survived the Dissolution of the Monasteries, which swept away all the land's monastic insttutions by 1540. However in 1547 it was caught by a new round of dissolutions when collegiate institutions were dissolved also. King Henry VIII in his last year granted the endowments of the Collegiate Church to Sir Anthony Browne, of Battle and Cowdray, and Elizabeth his wife.[1]
The site of the castle was left in decay for many years. In time, the site was purchased by the Pelham family and used for farming until the ruins had become so overgrown they were lost from memory.
During Second World War, the castle received more damage as Hastings was a target for bombing raids. In 1951 the Hastings Corporation purchased the site and converted it into a tourist attraction.
The castle is opened to the public between March and October.[2]
Outside links
 |
("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Hastings Castle) |
References
- ↑ The College of Hastings - A History of the County of Sussex - Volume : {{{2}}} (Victoria County History) (British History Online)
- ↑ Hastings Castle opening on 1066 Country
- Hastings Castle on CastleUK
- Hastings Castle on eCastles
- Discover Hastings: Hastings Castle
- Fry, Plantagenet Somerset, The David & Charles Book of Castles, David & Charles, 1980. ISBN 0-7153-7976-3
