On this day in 1066 Edgar the Ætheling became King!

History! On this day in 1066, Edgar the Ætheling was pronounced King of England, indeed, he was the last in the line of Saxon Kings of England, being the last male descendant in direct line from Edmund Ironside (Edmund II). Image above thanks to BBC.

Although he was never crowned, Edgar was King until 10th December 1066, when William the Bastard (as he was known in those days) took him into custody. Indeed, as natural heir, Edgar should have been King since January 1066, but he was considered too young then, and war was being faced. Instead, Harold Godwinson was chosen as King by the Witenagemot; the Council of the Anglo-Saxon Kings of England that had existed for over 400 years.

Edgar escaped capture in 1068, and led a very eventful life, living into his 70s. Looking him up is well worth the read; eg see the English Monarchs website.

Walking along the Seafront, Where's the Snow?

What a difference a day or two makes, another walk along the seafront yesterday, but the snow has mostly disappeared since Friday; see my blog from earlier in the week if you haven't already got bored with photographs of snow! Me, standing on Hastings Pier and looking eastwards, obviously... 😉

Flags on the Pier: Top Left, William the Conqueror (familiarly known at the time as William the Bastard); Bottom Left, Harold Godwinson (runner up at Battle of Hastings); Bottom Right, the Sussex Flag (Martlets); Top Right, the Welsh Flag which was raised on 1st March (St David's Day) to replace the flag of Harald Hardrada, who was runner up, and died, at the Battle of Stamford Bridge. Many thanks to Peter Wheeler and Steve Wilkins for explaining the significance of the flags, cheers!

Beach Huts & Pier

I've missed this for ages, and only found it yesterday, this 'montage' when I walked around to the sea side, and back of, the newer refreshment kiosk on the Upper Promenade between the Pier and Warrior Square, gulls, venues and local musicians, notably Liane Carroll can be seen through the 'window' of the Jenny Lind!

Palace Court

Looking up at the West Hill and the first stone castle built by the Normans in Britain, Hastings Castle (previous blog), with the wonderful, nearly 200 years old, St Mary in the Castle (previous blog, and the lease has since been passed to the Trust) and Pelham Crescent below.

Looking across at the Fishermen's Beach, with the East Hill and Hastings Country Park Local Nature Reserve in the background (website).

Walking through to Rock-a-Nore Road and I couldn't miss taking another photograph of this, very often photographed, retired fishing boat, RX134 Stacie Marie (see blog); seriously, I've seen her photographed and filmed too many times to mention!

So, what do you do next, well, I was thirsty, so popped I into the Cinque Ports Arms in All Saints Street (facebook page), civil discourse, ale and a great value sandwich!

Robert de Mortain

Earlier today I passed the Robert de Mortain pub up on The Ridge on my way to visiting someone who had been admitted to the Conquest Hospital, which reminded me that Greene King, the pub's current owners, have put the building up for sale, wanting at least £550,000 for it, according to reports. I'd imagine the competition from the new, very close-by, Conqueror's March, has influenced Greene King's decision to sell, and don't be surprised if a request for change of use gets presented to the Council...

 One side of the original pub sign

The building was originally a lodge house, and, before it became a public house in 1946, it was the Ripon Lodge Hotel.

The other side

So, who was this Robert de Mortain? Well, he was half brother to William the Conqueror (known in 1066 as William the Bastard), and one of his most trusted supporters, being given land all over the country by William, notably, Pevensey, where, in the 1070s whilst Robert lived there, a stone castle replaced the 1066 motte and bailey wooden fort built inside the old Roman walls. It is thought that Robert had also been given the task of building the first Norman stone castle built in England, that is, in Hastings, which William ordered in 1070 to replace the Hastings motte and bailey fort, and also the White Tower in London circa 1078 onwards...

Robert de Mortain was a very busy man and important historically for Hastings, indeed!

This Day in 1066, Edgar becomes King!

Just to confuse matters, on this day in 1066, Edgar the Ætheling was pronounced King of England, indeed, he was the last in the line of Saxon Kings of England, being the last male descendant in direct line from Edmund Ironside (Edmund II). 

Although he was never crowned, Edgar was King until 10th December 1066, when William the Bastard (as he was known in those days) had him taken into custody. Indeed, Edgar should have been King since January 1066, but, because he was young and war was being faced, Harold Godwinson had been chosen as King by the Witenagemot., the council (Wise Men) of the Anglo-Saxon Kings of England for more than 400 years...

Edgar escaped capture in 1068, and led a very eventful life, living into his 70s. Looking him up is well worth the read; eg see this website.

Hastings Weeks kicks off this weekend!

Hastings Week 2016 (8th to the 16th October) kicks off on Saturday with its opening ceremony up at the Castle; marching units meet at West Hill Cafe at 10.30, and the parade commences at 10.50 for the short distance to the Castle, starting a week commemorating the 950th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings! There will be walks, talks, tea and coffee and, well take a look at their website if you haven't already procured a copy of the free programme (try pubs, shops, the tourist centre if lacking said programme).

And, if you weren't aware, Saturday the 8th is also World Octopus Day, which, of course, will be celebrated at the Blue Reef Aquarium, towards the end of Rock-a-Nore Road (website). At noon there will be a talk and demonstration of feeding the aquarium's resident Giant Pacific Octopus, Count Oswald, and younger visitors can join the Octo-trail and create designs relating to Octopus Day.

Of course there is much more to do and visit, eg the Pier, Hastings Fishermens Museum and the Shipwreck Museum, both close by the aquarium, Hastings Museum and Art Gallery in Bohemia Road, Parks and Miniature Railway, Fair, etc etc... Have fun!

Gerrard Winstanley said it in 1649, and he was correct! ‘O what mighty Delusion, do you, who are the powers of England live in! That while you pretend to throw down that Norman yoke, and Babylonish power, and have promised to make the groaning people of England a Free People; yet you still lift up that Norman yoke, and slavish Tyranny, and in the People as much in bondage, as the Bastard Conquerour himself, and his Councel of War.’  

I didn't realise that the Norman Yoke still existed, but they've still got their own Court!

The Conqueror's Stone, a Myth, a Hotel, and a Pier!

Tradition has it that William the Bastard first dined in England upon this stone, soon after landing in 1066, hence it being called "The Conqueror's Stone", but aka "Old Woman's Tap" aka "Tapshaw" aka "Tapshore" (because it used to be situated at the bottom of Maze Hill, and a stream flowed over/by it). Of course, there is no provenance for this piece of mythology, and some believe the story was started by James Burton when he wanted to shift the stone, as it was in the way of his development of St Leonards! Anyway, it has moved a few times over the years, and is currently opposite the Royal Victoria Hotel... 

... in St Leonards, which was designed by Burton in the 1820s and 1830s, and the Royal Victoria Hotel, originally called St Leonards Hotel, was built in 1828 as its focal point. St Leonards Pier was later built virtually opposite the hotel, a little to the west, in 1888-1891, sadly hit by a bomb in WW2 and damaged by fire, and later suffered serious damage during a gale in 1851, and was demolished later that year, well outlived by the first Hastings Pier which, thankfully, is re-opening next month!  

Hastings Castle

I recently visited Hastings Castle, just before it closed for the Winter, anyway, here's some photographs, history, and thoughts...

In 1066, William the Bastard, later known as William the Conqueror, brought with him prefabricated sections for 'motte-and-bailey' castles to be constructed on conquered land. He is known to have constructed two of these castles before his first battle; at Pevensey and Hastings. William and his men probably spent the night before the Battle of Hastings (13-14^th October) at the fortress in Hastings.

Dungeons to the left of me... 

dungeons to the right...

The photographs above are of the 2 "dungeons" discovered in the 19th century, though they are probably old storage rooms, so says the blurb! 

Nice view to the west... 

Hastings Castle was first a wooden tower on a man-made mound or 'motte' surrounded by a courtyard or 'bailey', with a wooden palisade enclosing the bailey. By 1070, William had given orders to reconstruct Hastings Castle in stone, and to build the Church of St. Mary there, in the 1070s. The keep was rebuilt in the south eastern corner of the castle in the 1170s, and further alterations were made during the reign of Henry II.  

Fearing an invasion following Normandy being lost to the French, King John ordered the destruction of all Sussex castles lest they fall into enemy hands. There appears to have been little lasting damage done to Hastings Castle though, and his son, Henry III, ordered the castle repaired in the 1220s, with additional renovations made in 1249. 

In 1287 a great storm caused serious damage to Hastings, and the soft sandstone cliffs and south wall and keep fell into the sea. In 1337 and 1339 the castle was damaged further due to attacks by the French, and, together with further erosion to the site, the structure fell into disrepair and the castle was abandoned.

View to the Old Town to the east...

A private family then purchased Hastings Castle and the land was used for farming over the next few centuries. Remnants of the castle were rediscovered and then excavated in 1824, some of it being reconstructed, and the castle became a tourist attraction. Hastings Castle later suffered further damage during World War II.  

Another view to the east, well worth a visit in the Spring!