A Concise Historical & Topographical Sketch of Hastings, Winchelsea & Rye

Frederick Wilton Litchfield Stockdale (1786–1858) was employed for a time by the East India Company, however after leaving his position there he specialised as a landscape artist. Most of his works were published as engravings and are held by either the Royal Collection or the Devon and Exeter Institution. The work below was published by Peter M. Powell's library and took the form of a booklet measuring 22 x 14.3 x 1 cm.

The copy transcribed below was digitised by the Internet Archive, however a number of anomalous characters and mis-readings of the text was added by the OCR process utilised. The below is an edited version to give the text as-written in a searchable format.

Please note:- There appear to be a number of missing pages which will be inserted once they are located.

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A CONCISE HISTORICAL & TOPOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF HASTINGS, WINCHELSEA, & RYE,

In the Vicinity of those Ancient Towns.

EMBELLISHED WITH NUMEROUS ENGRAVINGS, FROM ORIGINAL DRAWINGS. By

Fred. W. L. Stockdale.

 

LONDON:

PUBLISHED FOR THE PROPRIETORS,

BY P. M. POWELL, LIBRARY, MARINE PARADE, HASTINGS ; W. CLARKE, NEW BOND-STREET; J. MURRAY, ALBEMARLE-STREET ; E. GREENLAND, FINSBURY-PLACE J AND SHERWOOD, NEELY, AND JONES, PATERNOSTER-ROW.
1817 [   ]
W. Wilson, Printer, 4, Greville-Street, London.
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ADDRESS.

HAVING, during the early part of last Summmer, been under the necessity of proceeding to some place in the country, for the recovery of my health, I am extremely happy at having visited a spot so generally and deservedly admired as Hastings; not only as I found my health materially improved, but that I never enjoyed more ample scope for the exercise of my pencil.

Considering the great antiquity of Hastings, and the many interesting and important events connected with it, it is rather surprising that there has not hitherto been any separate historical or topographical account of it published, much less any series of views, pourtraying the beautiful and picturesque scenery with which it abounds.

If my efforts should be approved, I shall feel highly gratified ; at the same time I beg leave to [   ]observe, as my time is nearly wholly occupied with the duties of a laborious official situation, I have merely studied the arts as an amusement, and that I could not possibly have undertaken the present little work, had not that eminent artist, Mr. John Greig, kindly offered to engrave the views for his periodical work, entitled, " The Antiquarian Itinerary," and to furnish me with a limited number of proof impressions of the plates for its embellishment.

For the very laudable manner in which my efforts have been supported, I beg to return my sincere acknowledgments; particularly to the very Rev. Drake Hollingbery, Chancellor of the diocese of Chichester, for the loan of a very interesting manuscript account of the ancient town of Winchelsea.

Hackney, March 1, 1817.
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SUBSCRIBERS.

The Right Honourable the Earl of Ashburnham.
R. M. Barnard, Esq.
Dr. Robert Batty, Fairlight-PIace, near Hastings.
Mr. Barry, Hastings. Mrs. Bewicke, Close-House, Northumberland.
- Bingham, Esq.
William Birnie, Esq. Russell-Square.
Sir William Blizard, Devonshire-Square.
Major-General Sir G. S. Browne.
Miss Brown.
Wastel Briscoe, Esq.
Lieutenant-Colonel Alexander Bryce.

The Right Honourable Lord Calthorpe.
The most noble Marquis Camden.
The Countess of Carlisle, Castle Howard, Yorkshire
Mrs. Cazalet.
Lieut.-Col. James Chisholm, Royal African Corps.
The Countess of Claremont.
The Honourable Basil Cochrane, Portman-Square.

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John M. Connell, Esq.
Captain Chester, Royal Artillery.
James Coggan, Esq.
Edwin Dawes, Esq. Winchelsea.
John Dent, Esq. Hertford-Street, MayFair.
William Dent, Esq. Battersea Rise.
Henry Dickinson, Esq.
Mr. William Dickinson.
Miss Edwards.
J. Eliot, Esq.
Charles Eversfield, Esq.
Mrs. Eversfield.
Miss Eversfield.
Charles R. Fenton, Esq.
- Fisher, Esq.
Colonel Fitzgerald.
Major-General Garstin.
James Grant, Esq. Kennington-Lane.
Mr. E. Greenland, Finsbury-Place.
David Gordon, Esq. Dulwich Hill.
Honourable Colonel Harris.
Mr. John Halse.
J. Hirst, Esq.

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Miss Hope.
Miss K. Hope.
Rev. Drake Hollingbery, M. A. Winchelsea.
Sir Abraham Hume, Bart. M. P. for Hastings, Wormleybury, Herts.
- Ironside, Esq.
Miss Johnes.
Mrs. Theo. Jones.
J. H. Kennedy, Esq.
Mr. Kustevan.

C. Langmore, Jun. Esq. Hackney.

John Maberly, Esq. M. P. for Rye, Grosvenor-Square.
Mr. Thomas Mannington.
Mrs. Mascall.
Philip Melvill, Esq. Islington.
Dr. Meyer, Broad-Street.
Pulteney Mein, Esq. Forge Lodge, near Longtown, Cumberland.
Edward Milward, Esq. Hastings.
Miss Milward.
John Morice, Esq.
Major James Mouat.

John Nelson, Esq. Author of the History of Islington.

William O'Neil, Esq.

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George Parkhouse, Esq. Manchester-Buildings.
Mr. P. M. Powell, Library, Marine Parade, Hastings.

Miss Rainsford.
Frederick Reynolds, Esq.
Frederick Reeves, Esq. East Sheen, Surry.
Thomas Rundall, Esq.
Mr. Thomas Rundall, Jun.
George Roebuck, Esq.

Rev. Rule Sarel.
William Lucas Shadwell, Esq. Hastings.
Miss Smith.
Mr. Smith, Lisle-Street, Leicester-Square.
C. B. Stockdale, Esq. R. N.

William Thorpe, Esq. Hastings.
Thomas Trew, Esq. Buckingham-Street, Strand.

Mr. Upton.
Mr. John Urquhart, Kennington-Square.
Mr. Andrew Urquhart.

Colonel Walsham.
Miss Whitear.
Thomas White, Esq.
Edward White, Esq.
W. Woolnoth, Islington.

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HASTINGS.

The town of Hastings, in Sussex, which is the chief of the Cinque Ports, is most delightfully situated in a valley upon the sea-coast, sixty-four miles from London, near the eastern extremity of the county, and surrounded on all sides except the south, with high cliffs and hills which renders it, particularly to invalids, one of the most healthy places in the kingdom. It principally consists of two parallel streets, High-Street and All-Saints-Street, divided by a small stream called the Bourne, which runs into the sea. Within the last five years, owing to the great influx of company at Hastings, during the summer season, and the high repute it bears as a watering-place, a very handsome row of houses has been built in a field called the Croft, running parallel ... [ 2 ]

 

[ 3 ]... of the reign of Henry the Third, the Cinque Ports fitted out forty ships, under the command of Hubert de Burgho, (Warden of those Ports, and Governor of Dover Castle,) which putting to sea, came up with and engaged eighty sail of French ships, which were coming to aid Louis, the French king's son, when after a furious engagement on both sides, several of the enemy's ships were captured, and the remainder sunk or dispersed.

It was this, and other important services rendered by the Ports' fleet, which no doubt procured them the many honors and privileges they did at that time, and still enjoy ; among others, the barons of the Cinque Ports have the honor of supporting the canopies over the King and Queen, at their coronation, which afterwards become the property of the Ports, and of dining with their Majesties on that occasion; but many of these privileges, owing to their absurdity, have now become almost obsolete.

During the reign of Richard the Third, anno 1377, Hastings was burned by the French ; and when rebuilt, was separated into three parishes, St. Clements, All Saints, and St. Mary in the Castle, with churches only to the two former, and which, about fifty years ago, were united into one rectory. The town of Hastings had formerly two other churches, St. Michaels and St. George, and an hospital dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene, but not any certain accounts are to be traced concerning them, except that St. George's stood in a field upon the Eastern Hill, some small remains of which were removed many years ago. The present churches, St. Clements and All Saints, are both very ancient fabrics, though it is uncertain when they were built, as no account is [   ]
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[ 5 ]... her coronation, and on the roof of the belfrey is still preserved the twelve signs of the zodiac, in tolerable preservation.

The Town Hall or Court House, under which is the Market-place, was, according to the inscription in the front of it, erected in the year 1700, at the expense of John Pultney and Peter Gott, esquires, then representatives in parliament for Hastings. In it is a shield bearing the arms of France, brought from Quebec, and which was presented to the corporation by General James Murray, who spent the latter days of his life at his seat called Beauport, in the parish of Westfield, near Hastings, after having endured the hardships and fatigue of many years active service.

Proceeding westward of the town, the first object which attracts the attention of the Antiquary, is the remains of a very large and ancient Castle, situated on a lofty rocky cliff, and which, viewed from the beach, has a very majestic and awful appearance.

Time, which brings the mighty low,
And level lays the lofty brow.
Has seen this broken pile complete.
Big with the vanity of state.

It resembles, in shape, nearly two sides of an oblique spherical triangle with the points rounded off; the base or south side next the sea, completing the triangle, is formed by a perpendicular craggy cliff, near 400 feet in length, and from its inaccessible height, must have rendered any attack on that side fruitless. The east side is quite a plain wall, measuring near 300 feet, and without tower or any other defence. The side adjoining, facing the north-west, is near 400 feet; and the [ 6 ]whole area encloses about an acre and a quarter. The walls, which are now fast mouldering to decay, are composed chiefly of flint and stone, and in thickness near eight feet. The entrance gateway, long since demolished, stood near the angle on the north side ; and not far from its scite, westward, are the remains of a small tower and salley port; the former encloses a circular flight of steps ; a little farther on there is also the ruins of a square tower, with traces of two ditches, near sixty feet deep, and upwards of 100 broad, and which, no doubt, originally terminated with the entrance gateway of the castle.

At what period, or by whom this venerable structure was erected, does not appear either from the works of Leland, Camden, or any other eminent writers who have treated of the topographical antiquities of this county, but from the situation in which it is built, being peculiarly advantageous to the ancient mode of fortification, it is likely that some sort of fortress existed at this place, before that which is reported to have been constructed by the Danish pirates, under Hastings their leader ; which conjecture derives much support from a passage in the chronicles of Dover monastery, inserted in Leland's Collectania ; " That when Arviragus threw off the Roman yoke, he. fortified those places which were most convenient for their invasion, vz. Richborougb, Walmere, Dover and Hastings."

From the History of Canterbury, written by Eadmer, and published by the learned John Selden, it appears that in the year 1090, almost the whole of the bishops and nobles of England were assembled by royal authority, at Hastings Castle, to pay personal homage to King William the Second, previous to his departure for Normandy. Very little more is
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[ 7 ]known concerning Hastings Castle, except that there was within it a free royal chapel, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, with a dean and seven prebends ; and during the detention of the King at Hastings, by contrary winds, for upwards of a month, Robert Bloet was consecrated in this chapel to the see of Lincoln. In the History of Papal Usurpation, by Prynne, several circumstances are detailed relative to a dispute between Edward the Third, the bishop of Chichester, and the archbishop of Canterbury, regarding the right claimed by those prelates, of visiting the chapel in Hastings Castle, and which, in the reign of Henry the Sixth, was placed under the jurisdiction of the former. In the twenty-sixth year of the reign of Henry the Eighth, when the dissolution of monasteries and chapels took place, the deanery was valued at 20l. per annum, and the seven prebends at 41l. 13s. 5d. and the whole was granted by the same king, in the thirty-eighth year of his reign, to Sir Anthony Browne.

Hastings Castle was, with other estates, given by William the Conqueror to Robert, earl of Eu, his confidential servant and adviser, but was forfeited to the crown during the reign of Henry the Third, by one of the descendants of that noble man. It was shortly after exchanged for certain lands belonging to John de Dreux, earl of Richmond, in whose family it remained for some time; but, in the year 1299, again reverted to the crown: since which period it has been in the possession of various persons, till it was disposed of by one of the descendants of the earl of Hastings,[together with the manors of Crowhurst, Burwash, and Berelham,] to Thos. Pelham, esq. of Laughton, for the sum of 2,500l. and a
[ 8 ]reserved rent of 16l. 6s. 8d. to whom the perpetuity of it was confirmed by James the First, anno Dom. 1605. The estate now belongs to the earl of Chichester, who has a beautiful seat at Stanmer in this county.

The town of Hastings had formerly a good Harbour, formed by a wooden pier, which projected in a south-east direction, below where the fort now stands ; but, in the early part of queen Elizabeth's reign, the pier was destroyed by a violent storm ; since which time it has remained in its present state, and is called the Stade. Camden says, " that queen Elizabeth granted a contribution towards the making a new harbour at Hastings, which was begun ; but the contribution was quickly converted into private purses, and the public good neglected." Large pieces of timber, and enormous fragments of rocks, the remains of the pier, are to be. seen at low water.

The method now adopted for securing vessels from the fury of the weaves is surprising to those who have never seen any thing of the kind: they are drawn up on the beach by a capstan, with three or four horses, and the facility and expedition with which vessels from fifty to one hundred tons burthen are lowered, after being loaded, is astonishing: pieces of wood, well greased, are laid at the vessels keel and side to run on ; a large screw is then applied to her bows, by which she is set agoing; when she has run as far as is necessary, she is easily stopped by cables round the capstans, and left to float when the tide returns.

At the west end of the Stade is a Fort, mounting six twenty-four pounders, built about forty years ago, and which not only serves to defend the town against an enemy, but is [ 9 ]a most excellent barrier against the encroachments of the sea in boisterous weather. In the month of January, 1792, in consequence of a very high tide which happened, with a violent gale of wind, considerable damage was done both at Hastings and other places on the coast. Adjoining the fort is the Parade, which, being five hundred feet in length, and commanding a most extensive prospect of the ocean, Beachy Head, and Pcvensey Bay, is considered one of the best promenades of any watering place on the coast.

Hastings received charters from Edward the Confessor, William the First, and several other monarchs, down to James the Second. The corporation is composed of a mayor, jurats, and freemen, is exempted from toll, and is empowered to hold courts of judicature in cases of a capital nature. Since the 43d of Edward the Third, Hastings has returned two members to serve in parliament, and who are elected by the jurats and freemen. The present members are, sir Abraham Hume, bart, and James Dawkins, esq.

Few persons conversant with English history can fail remembering Hastings, as the place signalized by the battle which terminated in subjecting the dominion of England to William the First, and by which event he acquired the appellation of Conqueror.

It is therefore only necessary, on the present occasion, to state, that the battle was fought on the 14th of October, in the year 1066, between Harold and William duke of Normandy, who, in consequence of a pretended right to the throne of [ 10 ]England, landed at Pevensey Bay, a few days prior to the battle, with a well-appointed army, consisting of near 60,000 men, including a fine body of cavalry. The news of the arrival of the invaders soon reached the ears of Harold, who, elated with bis recent success in defeating the Norwegians at Stamford, lost no time in collecting his troops, and marching to attack them, notwithstanding the entreaties of his brothers to postpone a general engagement, and endeavour to harass the enemy with skirmishes. Harold, although unequal to bis rival in point of numbers, particularly in cavalry, having made a happy choice of ground, and the most skilful disposition of his army, was enabled to maintain the best of the engagement for the greater part of the day, until the artful Norman, almost despairing of victory, adopted the stratagem of ordering his troops to make a false retreat, with the view of inducing the English to quit their favorable position ; a snare into which they unhappily fell, thereby giving the enemy an opportunity of bringing their cavalry into action, and which very soon committed dreadful slaughter among them, during which the brave Harold and bis two brothers were killed, also many noblemen and gentlemen of the first distinction.

Both armies fought with desperation : the conflict began at sunrise, and was not terminated till night had enveloped all in darkness, when the number of slain was immense, particularly on the side of the English. In commemoration of the event, William the Conqueror shortly afterwards founded an Abbey on the spot where the battle is said to have raged most fiercely, and tilled it with Benedictine monks from Marmontier in Normandy, that continual prayers [ 11 ]might be offered to the Almighty for the victory he had obtained, and for the souls of the brave men who were slain. A particular description of this abbey is given in another part of this work.

At a short distance westward of the cliffs on which the castle stands is a farm-house, built with the remains and on the scite of a Priory of black canons formerly existing at Hastings, which was founded in the reign of Richard the First, by Sir Walter Bricet, and dedicated to the Holy Trinity. At the dissolution, the annual revenues of this edifice were estimated at 57l. The estate now belongs to James Mann, esq. Adjoining the farm-yard is a piece of water, which being drained off a few years back, a hole near thirty feet deep, (with the remains of a sluice, gates, and timbers of large dimensions,) was discovered, most probably the relics of some works, formed by the monks, as a protection to their dwelling from the ravages of the sea.

The present trade of Hastings is very inconsiderable to what it was about sixty years ago ; for even the fisheries, which formed a source of employment for many poor families, have also much declined ; there is still, however, considerable quantities of mackerel and trawl fish caught off the town and Beechy(sic) Head ; and during the last two or three seasons, vast quantities of herrings. Many hands are also employed in boat-building, for which much credit is due to them, not only for the skilful mode in which they are constructed, but also for the dexterity and courage displayed in their management of them.

Hastings having of late years become one of the most [ 12 ]favorite places of resort during the summer season, there is most excellent accommodation provided for bathing, as twenty machines stand westward of the town, near the Marine Parade ; besides which, there has recently been erected some very commodious warm baths, under the management of Mr. Powell, the bookseller. There are two very good libraries, with billiard rooms, for the. amusement of visitors ; also assemblies held weekly at the Swan and Crown inns, both of which afford excellent accommodation.

There cannot be a greater proof of tbe high repute Hastings bears as a healthy place of residence, than by noticing the great increase of the number of its inhabitants, (amounting to upwards of 4000;) and which, in the year 1801, when the returns were laid before parliament, only amounted to 2982, and 542 houses.

The market days at Hastings are on Wednesdays and Saturdays, when provisions of all kinds may be purchased, at as reasonable rates as any other town on the coast. There are also three fairs annually ; that called Rock Fair, held on the 26th of July, is the most extensive, but is, in general, a scene of drunkenness, riot, and debauchery. Here are two free-scbools, founded under the wills of James Saunders and William Parker, for the instruction of 130 scholars in several branches of literature and religious education.

The vicinity of Hastings abounds with the most delightful scenery; indeed, few watering places, particularly such as are annually frequented, whether as a source of pleasure, or for the recovery of health, possess greater attractions ; however, [ 13 ]as the limits of this work will not allow a particular description of their numerous beauties, which, to be fully appreciated, require to be seen, it is only necessary to observe, that the lovers of the picturesque will not fail enjoying a high treat by visiting Bohemia, Bo-peep, (near which is a large piece of rock, projecting over a pool, called the Conqueror's Table, from the circumstance of king William having dined upon it), Bulverhythe, Bexhill, Hollington Church, (situated in the middle of a wood), the Old Roar, (a waterfall, in a wood, near forty feet perpendicular;) Broomham Park, Ashburnham, Crowhurst, Battle, Winchelsea, and Rye.

On leaving the latter place to return to Hastings, the stranger will also feel highly gratified by visiting the Govers, a solitary cottage, situated under a most stupendous cliff, against which, in boisterous weather, the sea rages most furiously, and threatens inevitable destruction to its inhabitants. 'Tis an admirable situation for an hermit.

" In these drear solitudes,
" Where heavenly pensive contemplation dwells."

— Pope.

At a short distance from this lonely spot is the Lovers' Seat, a recess formed in a rocky precipice, overhanging a wood, the verdure of which, in some degree, tends to relieve the mind from the horror excited by its immense height. The sublime view, however, of the ocean from this romantic spot, fully compensates for the trouble bestowed in getting to it. The Fish Ponds and Dripping Well must not, how- ... [ 14 ]

 

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FAIRLIGHT.

Few villages in the kingdom, for romantic grandeur and rural simplicity, surpass Fanlight, which is situated only two miles distant from Hastings, in a most delightful valley, diversified with unbounded landscapes, and some of Nature's choicest scenes. On ascending the hill leading to Fairlight Down, the view, which immediately unfolds itself, cannot fail to strike the attention of every person, especially those who are capable of appreciating the beauties of Nature : indeed, the following lines of the poet Thomson, never were more aptly applied.

" Heav'ns ! what a goodly prospect spreads around,
" Of hills, and dales, and woods, and lawns, and spires,
" And glittering towns, and ocean wide, 'till all
" The stretching landscape into smoke decays."

It is however necessary to observe, that the afternoon, just before sun-set, is the best time for enjoying the grand scenes which present themselves from this spot, when the British Channel, from Beachy Head to the South Foreland, the hills of the French coast from Calais to Boulogne, with Napoleon's Tower, and several towns and villages, may be distinctly seen.

At a short distance from Fairlight Down, near the edge of [ 16 ]the cliff, is the signal house, which was erected during the late war ; and on the most elevated part of the Down was formerly a station for determining the relative situations of the observatories of Greenwich and Paris.

The Church of Fairlight, situated just on the verge of a bill, is a small edifice, with a low massy square tower at the west end, supported with large buttresses. The interior contains nothing worthy of notice.

Not far distant from the church is Fairlight Place, the residence of Doctor Batty, which, from its commanding situation, must, in the summer season, be extremely delightful.

 

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WINCHELSEA,

Is situated on rising ground, about two miles and a half from Rye, eight from Hastings, and a mile from the sea. Although a town of very great antiquity, it is to be lamented that history does not furnish any account of it, except that it was once a very powerful member of the Cinque Ports, and contributed ten vessels, properly armed and equipped, to the number furnished by those Ports for the public service.

According to tradition, few places in England have experienced greater calamities than Winchelsea, for not only was the Old Town entirely inundated by the overflowing of the sea, but before the expiration of twenty years after the new one was built, it suffered materially in consequence of being twice besieged and pillaged by the French and Spaniards; and again in the year 1358 ; but the French [ 18 ]were foiled in another attempt which they made to destroy it in the year 1377, after burning its neighbour Rye, owing, as it is supposed, to the bravery of the Abbot of Battle, (Hamo de Offington,) and his dependants.

Winchelsea, however, in the course of near two centuries after it was so much injured by the French, had so far re-established itself, both in respect to trade, as well as for the magnificence of its buildings, that when Queen Elizabeth visited it in the year 1573, she was so much struck with the general appearance of the town, the splendid scarlet robes of the mayor and jurats, and the respectability of the inhabitants, as to compliment it with the title of Little London : the high opinion thus entertained by Her Majesty was, unfortunately, of but short duration ; for, towards the conclusion of her reign, in consequence of the sea retiring from its neighbourhood, and leaving in its place a dreary marsh, the town of Winchelsea was soon abandoned by merchants and traders, and has, ever since that calamity, been gradually declining to a mere shadow of what it was when in its pristine state.

Regarding the authenticity of the first of those unfortunate events, the late Mr. Grose, in his work on Antiquities, has given the following quotation from an old book, without a title, which was in being at the time he visited this place. " In the month of October, in the year 1280, the moon being in its prime, the sea passed over her accustomed bounds, flowing twice without ebb, and made so horrible a noise, that it was beard a great way within land, not without the astonishment of the oldest men that heard it. Besides this, at dark night, the sea seemed to be a light fire, and to burn, and the waves to beat with [ 19 ]one another, insomuch that it was past the mariners' skill to save their ships; and, to omit others, at a place called Hucheburn (probably Hither, or East Bourne,) three noble and famous ships were swallowed up by the violent rising of tire waves, and were drowned; and at Winchelsea, a certain haven eastward, besides cottages for salt, fishermens' huts, bridges, and mills, above three hundred houses, by the violent rising of the waves, were drowned." Also the following passage from a book remaining with the records of the town of Rye :--" Be it remembered, that in the year of our Lord 1287, in the even of St. Agath, the virgin, was the town of Winchelsea drowned, and all the lands between Cleimden and Hytheboth of which derive much support from the account given by Leland in his Itinerary, who observes, that " in the space of six or seven years the olde town of Winchelsea fell to a sore and manifest ruin by reason of the olde rages of the sea, and that during this period the inhabitants, foreseeing the probability of its total destruction, petitioned King Edward the First for ground to build another town, and who accordingly sent John De Kirkby, bishop of Ely, to select a spot of ground for that purpose, when terms were concluded for one hundred and fifty acres, belonging to sir John Tregose, one Maurice, and the Abbey of Battle."

The town, which was built on a hill, covered a surface two miles in circumference, and by being divided into squares, each containing about two acres and a quarter, with spacious streets intersecting each other at right angles, must not only have had a very beautiful appearance, but admirably adapted both for health and convenience.

Although the town of Winchelsea is reduced to a mere [ 20 ]shadow of its former grandeur, (consisting only of but little more than one hundred houses, and about six hundred inhabitants), there is sufficient left to render it extremely interesting to the antiquary ; for, exclusive of one of the three churches which it formerly contained, there is yet remaining the three entrance gateways, and the ruins of one of the priories.

The Church stands in the. middle of the town in the centre of a spacious square, enclosed with a very low wall, and has a venerable and beautiful appearance, owing to the north and south transepts being in ruins, and the walls on the south and west sides finely overgrown with ivy. The interior is lofty and spacious, and exhibits three fine arches, springing from clustered columns. In the south aisle are two monuments of Knights Templars, who, if actually
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[ 21 ]buried here, must have been among the latest of their celebrated fraternity ; one of which, from the arms upon it, is supposed to have belonged to the family of Oxenbridge, formerly of some celebrity in this part of the county. In the north aisle there are two monuments of monks ; and in the vestry-room another one of a Knight Templar, in tolerable preservation. There is also, in the south aisle, a memorial to the late John Stewart, esq. commander of the [ 22 ]Mount Stewart East Indiaman. A few years back there was standing, at the south-west corner of the church-yard, a solid square tower, containing a peal of bells, which was removed in consequence of its daugerous appearance. The rectorship of this church, now held by the ltev. Drake Hollingbery, M. A. Chancellor of the diocese of Chichester, is in the gift of sir William Ashburnham. The two other churches, which this town formerly contained, were both standing a short time previous to that when Leonhard wrote, which was in 1575. The ruins of St. Gyles, which occupied a square on the west side of the hill, have been long since removed, and very recently the only vestige left of the north side of the tower of St. Leonard's, situated on a bold promontory towards the south-west, which had, for many years, withstood the impetuous blasts to which [   ]

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[ 23 ]it was exposed. The latter contained a picture or image of a Saint, with a vane in his hand, which being moveable, persons desirous of a fair wind to bring home their relatives or friends, were allowed to sit at it as they pleased, under a confident hope of their wishes being realized.

Of the numerous other religious edifices which this town formerly contained, that called the Friars, founded by William de Buckingham, is most deserving the notice of the antiquary. The principal remains, consisting of the choir, with Gothic windows, has a very grand and venerable appearance, particularly the arch at the west end, which is near twenty-six feet wide. The whole is much improved by being surrounded with trees and evergreens ; and, when viewed from the gardens, including the edifice adjoining, occupied by Mr. Lloyd, (and which was no doubt formerly part of the monastery,) forms a very pleasing picture.

Respecting the three gateways, which are yet standing, although in a very ruinous condition, Land-Gate is situated at the north-east side of the town, through which the road passes to Rye ; it has a round tower on each side, and, being partly overgrown with ivy, has a very picturesque appearance. The arch of the Strand-Gate, which stands at the south side of the town, is almost flat; but, when taken from the point exhibited in the accompanying view, shewing the town of Rye in the back ground, is not uninteresting. The last, called Newgate, is situated nearly three quarters of a mile from the others, a little to the left of the present road leading to Hastings.

The Court House and Gaol are also, from their ancient appearance, not undeserving of notice ; and were no doubt erected at the time the town was rebuilt.

[ 24 ]From the relative situation of Winchelsea to Boulogne, and the many spacious vaults which it contains, it is not improbable, as Grose observes, that this place was the mart for French wines imported into England before the Wine Trade to Portugal was established. A considerable traffic was also carried on, about sixty years ago, by a company of merchants, who had a cambric manufactory in this town. To this succeeded an Italian crape manufactory, which, by the ingenuity of the proprietor, (P. Novaille, esq. of Greatness, near Seven Oaks, in Kent), arrived at great perfection; but, on account of some local advantages, has been removed to Norwich.

Winchelsea, as a member of the Cinque Ports, also participates in the several privileges and immunities enjoyed by those Ports, and received charters from several of our monarchs. The corporation consists of a mayor and twelve jurats, but is seldom complete. This town also returns two members to serve in parliament: the present members are, discount Barnard and Henry Brougham, esq. The seal of this town is rather a curious piece of antiquity : on one side is the representation of a beautiful Gothic church, (probably that dedicated to St. Thomas, now standing,) enriched with the figures of several saints in niches, and other historical embellishments ; with the following distich of Monkish verse:

Egidio, Thoma;, laudum plebs cantica prome,
ne sit in Angaria Grex suus amne, via.

On the other side is a ship of war, rigged and manned, supposed to be a model of those furnished by the ports dur[ 25 ]ing the reign of Henry the Third, and has the following inscription around it:

Sigillum Baronum domini Regis Anglia de Winchelsea.

A market is held weekly at Winchelsea, although not much frequented, and a fair for pedlary goods on the 14th of May.

This town gave birth to that excellent and worthy prelate Robert de Winchelsey, who in the year 1292 was elevated to the archiepiscopal see of Canterbury, but owing to his officious conduct in attempting to prove certain rights of the church, which King Edward the First disputed, and having also forbade the clergy to pay any taxes to princes, without the consent of the Pope, had all his possessions seized, and was suspended from his office as archbishop ; this event, however, did not take place till after the return of the king from Flanders, in the year 1297, during whose absence he had committed to his charge the young Prince, King Edward the Second, and with Lord Reginald de Gray, the custody of the kingdom. On the death of the king, which happened in 1307, he was restored to the archiepiscopal see of Canterbury, and took a very active part in bringing about several decrees which were passed for the better government of the church.

Winchelsea still continues to confer the title of an earldom, and which was first granted in the year 1628.

On leaving Winchelsea to proceed to Rye, about a mile and a half from the town, and half a mile from the sea, in a marshy peninsula, stand the remains of Winchelsea, or [ 26 ]

Camber Castle,

which was built by Henry the Eighth, in the year 1539, for the protection of this part of the coast, at a very considerable expense : according to tradition, it is supposed to have been erected on the site, or with the materials of a more ancient fabric. The remains, which are now fast mouldering to decay, principally consist of a large circular tower, or keep, with several smaller towers of similar form, at short distances; and round the former are clinks for a low battery, now almost buried below the surface of the earth : the walls are mostly composed of brick, cased with stone ; but the tout ensemble has too heavy and mean an appearance to attract the attention of the admirers of the picturesque ; a view, however, of it is given in this Work, as there has not hitherto been one engraved for any of the late publications on Antiquities and the Fine Arts.

 

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[ 27 ]

RYE,

Which is also a member of the Cinque Ports, is situated upon an eminence, westward of the mouth of the River Rother, at the eastern extremity of the county, and two miles and a half from Winchelsea.

The earliest notice to be traced of it in history, under its present name, is on the occasion of the Danes landing near it, in the year 893, when they seized the Castle of Apuldore, in Kent. According to Lombard, Edward the Confessor gave the towns of Rye and Winchelsea to the abbot and monks of Fescamp, in Normandy ; but Henry the Third, in the thirty-first year of his reign, for the better defence of England, resumed possession of both these towns, giving, in exchange for them, the manor of Cheltenham and Selover, in Gloucestershire, and other lands in the county of Lincoln. The tempest which overwhelmed the old town of Winchelsea, occasioned also a very considerable change in the situation of Rye, and completely altered the course of the River Rother, which before that event discharged itself into the sea, at Romney.

In the reign of Edward the Third, Rye was enclosed with walls, and fortified by gateways, some of which are yet remaining, although in a ruinous condition : the north, or Land Gate, leading into Kent, is the most perfect, and has a very handsome Gothic arch, guarded on each side with a round tower. There is also remaining, the Tower founded in the twelfth century by William de Ipres, earl of [ 28 ]Kent, and which has a venerable and picturesque appearance : it has been used as a prison ever since the Town-Hall was completed. Beneath it is a battery of eighteen guns.

Notwithstanding these precautions, Rye was, in the year 1377, taken by the French, who landed from five vessels, and, after plundering it, set it on fire, and, as Stowe remarks, " within five hours brought it wholly unto ashes, with the Church, that then was there, of wonderful beauty, conveying away four of the richest of that toune prisoners, and slaying sixty-six, left not above eyght in the toune : forty-two hogsheads of wine they carried thence to their ships, with the rest of their booty, and left the toune desolate." During the reign of Henry the Sixth, it was a second time destroyed by the French, when all the old records and charters belonging to it are supposed to have perished, excepting a few fragments, dated in the twenty-seventh year of that king's reign. Henry the Seventh visited Rye in the third year of his reign ; also Queen Elizabeth in the year 1573, while on a tour round the coast.

In the sixteenth century, the Harbour of Rye, which had for many years been in a decayed state, was restored in consequence of the violence of a very extraordinary tempest: and about twelve years ago was rendered sufficiently commodious to enable vessels of two hundred tons burden to come up to the quay to load and unload. This great improvement in Rye Harbour, (and which had for many years been deemed impracticable, owing to the heavy sea and powerful influx and reflux of the tide,) was effected by a dam of a singular construction, invented by the Rev. Daniel Pape, L.L.B. and to whom the Society of Arts granted a gold medal.

[ 29 ]In the year 1673, king Charles the Second reviewed the English and French fleets lying in Rye Bay, within sight of the town. As Winchelsea declined, Rye is said to have become of greater consequence, from its enjoying a commodious harbour, and which, in boisterous weather, has often proved of the greatest relief to vessels beating about upon the raging ocean ; particularly on the occasions when two of our kings were compelled to seek shelter in it on their return from the Continent ; viz. George the First, in January 1725, and his successor, in December 1736.

The town of Rye, as before-mentioned, being a member of the Cinque Ports, also enjoys similar privileges and immunities. The corporation, which is held by prescription, consists of a mayor, jurats, and freemen, who have, had the right of electing two members to serve in parliament ever since the forty-second of Henry the Third. The present members are, Richard Arkwright and John Maberly, esqs.

The Church, in consequence of having undergone very considerable repair and alteration during the early part of last century, has lost much of its ancient appearance ; it is however remarkable for being one of the largest edifices in the kingdom. The interior contains nothing deserving of particular observation.

The only vestige remaining of the other ancient religious edifices which Rye formerly contained, is part of the Chapel, with Gothic windows, of the monastery of the Friars'Hermits of St. Augustine, now occupied as a store-house.

The town of Rye consists of several streets, very irregularly built ; the houses, which amount to upwards of 400, have, in general, a very ancient appearance. The number of its inhabitants far exceeds the enumeration made in 1301, when [ 30 ]they were stated at 2187 ; they are composed of presbyterians, Quakers, baptists, aud methodists. In the lower street is a free Grammar-School, which was erected in the year 1636 by Thomas Peacock, gent, one of the jurats, and endowed with the sum of 35/. annually. There is also another freeschool, for the education of poor children, founded by a Mr. Saunders. In the principal street, nearly in the centre of the town, is a handsome Market-Place and Public Hall.

The trade of Rye consists chiefly in hops, wool, and timber ; besides, during the season, the herring and mackeral fisheries enable many poor families to maintain themselves. Vast quantities of lime is burned near the town, from chalk brought from the cliffs at East Bourne. The market days are held every Wednesday and Friday, besides two fairs annually, on Whit Monday and the 10th of August.

Since peace has been concluded with France, packets sail twice a week from Rye to Boulogne.

 

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[ 31 ]

BULVERHYTHE,

Situated about three miles from Hastings, derives its name from the circumstance of William the Conqueror having granted an ancestor of the Pelham family as much ground as be could cover with a bull's hide, which was very extensive, in consequence of his resorting to the expedient of cutting the hide into slips. In a field close by this place, behind the cliffs, are the ruins of an ancient Church, or Chapel, a view of which is given in the accompanying engraving ; it is, however, to be lamented, that not any authentic accounts are to be traced, on what account, or by whom it was erected. Upon the sands at this place are the remains of a remarkable large Dutch ship, called the Amsterdam, the ribs of which, after a boisterous sea washes the sands away, are to be seen entire, and disclose nearly its circumference, sometimes appearing four or five feet above the sands: it is supposed to have been run on shore about seventy years ago by convicts, who had mutinied, and was loaded with treasure ; some of which, according to report, found its way to Hastings, and enriched several of its honest inhabitants.

The ship being of immense weight, and most of the cargo ponderous commodities, it was soon enveloped in the sands, and all attempts to clear the lower deck, even with the assistance of soldiers quartered in the neighbourhood, proved abortive, in consequence of the tide returning before it could [ 32 ]be effected ; and the greatest part of the hull now remains a monument of the power of the raging ocean. The lower deck is supposed to contain a great quantity of sheet copper. Time obliterates the memory of past occurrences ; the generation dies in which they happen ; the next hear them with indifference ; and they are soon forgotten. Many of the crew were drowned, and brought to Hastings to be buried.

This place, in the winter season, abounds with snipe and wild fowl; and, as such, affords much amusement to those who are partial to the delightful sport of shooting.

 

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[ 33 ]

CROWHURST.

Originally one of the many lordships possessed by Harold, earl of Kent, in the reign of Edward the Confessor, after the Conquest was seized by king William, and given, with other demesnes, to Alan Fergant, Earl of Brittany and Richmond, as a reward for his courage at the battle of Hastings, from whom it descended to John, Earl of Brittany and Richmond, who granted, out of this and other estates, one hundred marks yearly for life, to Sir John Devereux. At the demise of his lordship, this and other estates devolved to his sister Joan, the widow of Ralph, Lord Basset of Drayton. The manor of Crowhurst at present belongs to Henry Cresset Pelham, Esq. the descendant of a younger branch of that ancient family, and who has a beautiful seat and park in this parish, which commands a most delightful prospect of the ocean and surrounding country.

The Church at Crowhurst, which is situated near a mile and a half from Mr. Pelham's residence, is a small edifice, and has nothing whatever to render it deserving of the notice of the antiquary. In the church-yard is a remarkable large yew tree, measuring nearly twenty feet in circumference, which has a very majestic appearance.

At a short distance on the south side of Crowhurst Church are some considerable remains of an ancient Chapel, or Oratory, supposed to have been built by one of the lords of [   ]

 

[ 35 ]

PEVENSEY.

Now reduced to a small village, was once a sea-port town of considerable importance, and is reckoned among those places which were ravaged by Godwin, earl of Kent, in the time of Edward the Confessor: it no doubt owed its former prosperity to its advantageous situation for commerce, and its subsequent decline to the receding of the sea, from which it at present stands more than a mile distant. Pevensey is also celebrated in history as the place where William the Conqueror landed with his army. It is distant about thirteen miles from Hastings, and is often frequented during the summer season, especially by the lovers of the picturesque, who cannot fail enjoying much gratification in viewing the extensive remains of its ancient Castle.

At what period, or by whom this Castle was constructed, does not appear from any of the Topographical or Historical Works which have as yet been published relative to the county of Sussex; but it is generally supposed, from the number of Roman bricks to be seen in various parts of the ruins, either to have been built by, or with the remains of some fortress erected by the Romans.

The principal entrance is on the west or land side, over a drawbridge, between two round towers, and is surrounded by a ditch on all sides but the east. Within is a smaller fortification, more of a quadrangular form, moated on the north and west side, with two round towers and another draw[ 36 ]bridge. The inside of the inner castle consists chiefly of six complete large towers, or bastions, two of which being much larger than the others, are supposed to have been the kitchen and refectory, or eating-room, from the size of the chimnies and doorways. The circumference of the inner castle is about twenty-five rods, and of the outward walls, 250. The external walls are nearly entire, and about twenty feet in height, and enlcose an area of seven acres.

Shortly after William the Conqueror ascended the throne of England, he gave the town and castle of Pevensey to his half brother, earl of Mortaigne, in Normandy, and created him earl of Cornwall, which he enjoyed, with many other honours, during the reign of that king ; but having taken part with his brother Odo, earl of Kent, in an insurrection in favour of Robert Courthose, an army was sent against this castle to reduce him, but on its arrival he surrendered, and made peace. He was succeeded in his possessions by William, earl of Mortaigne and Cornwall, who, on being refused the earldom of Kent by king Henry the First, joined with Robert de Belesne, earl of Shrewsbury, in a rebellion ; whereupon the king seized all his estates, demolished most of his castles, and banished him from the realm. The town and Castle of Pevensey were shortly after given to Gilbert de Aquila, and which, in allusion to the name of the owner, were styled the honour of the Eagle, with whose descendants they remained some time, but were again forfeited to the crown, when king Henry the Third, in the thirtieth year of his reign, gave the Castle of Pevensey to his son. Prince Edward, and his heirs, in order that it should never again be separated from the crown ; notwithstanding which, however, the Castle and [ 37 ]domain of Pevensey were settled on John of Gaunt, duke of Lancaster, and fourth son of Edward the Third, upon surrendering the earldom of Richmond, and all estates appertaining thereto. On Henry the Fourth, son of John of Gaunt, ascending the throne, he gave the Castle of Pevensey to the Pelham family, as a reward for their loyalty and valour, with whom it remained till about the middle of last century, when the duke of Newcastle resigned it to Spencer Compton, earl of Wilmington, on his being created baron of Pevensey; and on the death of the late earl of Northampton, it was carried by his daughter, lady Elizabeth Compton, on her marriage, to Lord George Henry Cavendish. It appears by Madox's History of the Exchequer, that in the sixth year of the reign of king John, Pevensey, among other trading towns, paid a quinxieme or tax for its merchandise ; and in the ninth year of the reign of that king, the barons of Pevensey fined forty marks, for licence to build a town between Pevensey and Langley, which should enjoy the same privileges as the Cinque Ports, and that they might have an annual fair to last seventeen days, commencing on the anniversary of St. John the Baptist; also a market every Sunday : but it is not known how far this project was carried into execution.

Andrew Borde, or Andreas Perforatus, as he styled himself in Latin, was a native of Pevensey. He was educated at Winchester, and at New College, Oxford, where he applied himself very closely and successfully to the study of physic. On leaving the university, he is reported to have visited every country in Europe, and several parts of Africa. On his return to England, he took his doctor's degree in 1541, [ 38 ]or 1542, and first settled in his native town, whence he removed to Winchester, and finally to London, where he is said to have become a fellow of the college of physicians, and first physician to Henry the Eighth. His eccentricity of character led him to frequent fairs, markets, and other places of public resort, where he would harangue the people in a language naturally quaint and jocose ; and from him the itinerant venders(sic) of nostrums are said to have derived the appellation of Merry Andrews. Notwithstanding his jocose turn, he is reported to have practised the austerities of the Carthusians, to which order he once belonged; living in celibacy, drinking water three days in the week, wearing a hair shirt, and every night hanging his burial-sheet at the feet of his bed. He died, in 1549, in the Fleet prison ; but it is not probable that he was confined there for debt, as he left property to a considerable amount, both in Norfolk and at Winchester. He was the author of several works on various subjects; and Wood says, that " he was esteemed a noted poet, a witty and ingenious person, and an excellent physician."

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[ 39 ]

BATTLE,

Originally a small village, called Epilon, derives its appellation from the memorable conflict which took place, in the year 1066, between the armies under William, duke of Normandy, and Harold king of England, the town being built upon the spot where the battle was fought, although that important event is generally termed the Battle of Hastings.

Battle is a small town, situated about fifty-six miles from London and seven from Hastings, and consists only of one street, indifferently built, but is much improved by the elegant Gothic front of the abbey, which faces it. King Henry the First granted to this town a charter for a market weekly, to be kept on the Sunday, and which was continued till the seventeenth century, when it was removed to Thursday. The trade of the town consists chiefly in the manufacture of gunpowder, for which it has long been noted. Here are two fairs annually, on Whit Monday and on November 22 ; both of which are much frequented.

The Abbey, as before observed, was founded by William the Conqueror, in commemoration of his success in defeating the English ; and on that part of the field where the contest had raged most fiercely, the high altar standing on the very spot where, according to some historians, the dead body of [ 40 ]Harold was found, or where his standard was taken up. It was dedicated to St. Martin, and filled with Benedictine monks from the Abbey of Marmontier, in Normandy ; perhaps on account of the thought of the erection being first suggested by William Faber, one of the monks of that house, which was also dedicated to St. Martin. The king intended to have endowed the abbey with lands sufficient for the maintenance of one hundred and forty monks, had not death prevented him.

He, however, granted it divers prerogatives and immunities, similar to those enjoyed by the monks of Christ Church, Canterbury ; such as the exclusive right of inquest on all murders committed within their lands, treasure trove, or the property of all treasures found on their estates, free warren, and exemption for themselves and tenants from all episcopal and other ecclesiastical jurisdiction ; also this peculiar right of sanctuary, that if any person adjudged guilty of homicide, or any other crime, should fly to that church, no harm should be done him, and he should be dismissed entirely free: but, above all, he gave to the abbot the royal power of pardoning any condemned thief he should casually pass by, or meet going to execution.

He also bestowed on them the land for a league round their house, likewise the manor of Wye, in Kent; both free from all aids, impositions, and services. He likewise gave them his royal customs in Wye, together with his right of Wreck in Dengemarsh (a member thereof), as also that of any great or royal fish, called crassipies, which should be there driven ashore, except when it happened without certain limits, in which case they were to have only two parts of the [ 41 ]fish and the tongue, these being all the king usually had. He likewise endowed them with the manors of Aldsiston, in Sussex ; Lymsfield, in Surrey ; How, in Essex ; Craumere, in Oxfordshire ; and Briswalderton, in Berkshire ; with divers other lands, together with the churches of Radings and Colunton, in Devonshire ; also that of St. Olaves, afterwards the priory of St. Nicholas, Exeter. Moreover, he confirmed to them all gifts of lands, bestowed by his subjects, to be held as free as those granted by himself. The abbey of Brecknock, in Wales, was also afterwards made a cell to this house.

At the dissolution, the estates of Battle Abbey were valued, the twenty-sixth of Henry the Eighth, according to Dugdale, at 880l. 14s. 7d. per annum ; Speed says, 987l. 10d. when pensions were assigned to several of the monks. The scite was granted, by king Henry, to one Gilmer, who first pulled down many of the buildings, and sold the materials : he afterwards also disposed of the land, which was purchased by sir Anthony Browne, whose descendants converted what was left of the abbey buildings into a comfortable dwelling.

The following description of this edifice is given by Browne 7fri!lis, in his View of Mitred Abbeys. " Though this abbey be demolished, yet the magnificence of it appears by the ruins of the cloysters, &c. and by the largeness of the hall, kitchen, and gate-house, of which the last is entirely preserved. It is a noble pile, and in it are held sessions and other meetings for this peculiar jurisdiction, which hath still great privileges belonging to it. What the hall was, in its glory, may be guessed by its dimensions ; its length about fifty of my paces : part of it is now used as a hay-barn : it was leaded ; part of the lead yet remains, and the rest is tiled. As to the kitchen, [ 42 ]it was so large as to contain five fire-places, and it was arched at top; but the extent of the whole abbey may be better measured by the compass of it, it being computed at no less than a mile about.

" In this church the Conqueror offered up his sword and royal robe, which lie wore on the day of his coronation. The monks kept these till the suppression, and used to shew them as great curiosities, and worthy of the sight of their best friends and all persons of distinction that happened to come hither. Nor were they less careful about preserving a table of the Norman gentry which came into England with the Conqueror. This table continued till the dissolution, and was seen by our admirable antiquary, Mr. Leland, who hath given us the contents of it in the first tome of his Collectania."

The authority, however, of this roll is not greatly to be depended upon. Sir Wm. Dugdale, speaking of it in the first volume of his Baronage, says, " There are great errors, or rather falcifications, in most of the copies of it, by attributing the derivation of many from the French, who were not at all of such extraction, but merely English : for such hath been the. subtilty of some monks of old, that finding it acceptable unto most to be reputed descendants to those who were companions to duke William in his expedition ; therefore, to gratify them, they inserted their names into the ancient catalogue."--" Not far," continues Willis, " from the abbey stands the parochial church, which is one of the best in all the county. In this church there formerly hung up an old table, containing certain verses, the remains of which I shall subjoin.

[ 43 ]

"This place of war is Battel called, because in battle here,
Quite conquered and overthrown the English nation were;
This slaughter happened to them upon St. Celict's Day
The year whereof --- this number doth array."

The following letter, written by Gage and Layton to the lord Cromwell, shews the state of the furniture and vestments of this rich abbey at the time of the dissolution, which makes it seem as if the monks expected a storm, and were making up a purse. The letter is preserved in the British Museum, among the Cottonian manuscripts.

"This shal be to advertise yor Lordshippe, that we haue taken the assurance for the kyng, and houe caste or bowke for the dispache of the monks and householde, which amownttithe at the leaste to a 2 hundrethe pownds : the implements off the householde be the worst that evr I see in Abbaye or Priorie, the vestymonts so olde & so baysse worne raggede and tome ss your Lordeshipe would not thinke, so that very small money can he made of the vestrye ; if your Lordshippe sendc us a hundrethe pownds by the bringer, we shall make up the reste if hit be possible of the old vestrye stuffe ; if we cannot, we shall disburse ye till or retorne to yr Lordeshipp the church plate and plate of the householde, we suppose by estimation will amount to cccc marks or more : there is no great store of catell ; this day we be making an inven[ 44 ]torie ; thus or Lord continewe yowe in honour, from Battell Abbay, the 27th of May.
Yor Lordshippes to command,
John Gage.
Yor Lordshippes most humble to command,
Ric Layton Prest."

The last abbot was John Hammond, who surrendered this abbey on the 27th of May, in the thirtieth year of king Henry the Eighth, with the rest of his monks, and obtained a pension of 100 marks annually, by letters patent, dated the 6th July, 1538, which said letters patent mention this abbot to have presided a good while before the dissolution, and contain a clause to vacate his pension in case of the king preferring him, which certainly would not have been thought of or inserted, had this abbot been so scandalously wicked as Dr. Burnet has related.

The Church of Battle is a very handsome structure, consisting of a nave, chancel, two aisles, and a neat tower at the west end. It contains several curious inscriptions on brass, and other sepulchral memorials, of great antiquity. The Font is very handsome, and, from its appearance, the same as was placed in it when the church was first erected. In the windows of the north aisle are to be traced some curious figures and devices, on painted glass ; and in a niche in the wall, on the north side of the chancel, is a very fine altar monument, to the memory of sir Anthony Browne, standard bearer to king Henry the Eighth : he is represented lying on [ 45 ]

 

[ 46 ]

[ 47 ]his back, in armour, and adorned with the insignia of the garter. Beside him is the effigy of his lady, in the habit of the times.

 

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[ 47 ]

LIST OF PLATES.

1	View of the Old Roar (title page).
2	View of Hastings.
3	All Saint's Church, dn.
4	Ditto do. (Vignette).
5	Ditto do. do.
6	St. Clement's Church, Hastings.
7	Hasting's Castle.
8	Part of do.
9	Hastings from the Priory.
10	Fairlight Church.
11	Ore Church (Vignette).
12	Landgate, Winchelsea, East View.
13	Ditto do.
14	Ditto do. (Vignette).
15	Standgate do.
16	Newgate do.
17	Winchelsea Church.
18	Tomb of a Knight Templar in do.
19	Winchelsea, or Camber Castle.
20	Ipres Tower, Rye.
21	Playdon Church (Vignette).
22	Ruins of a Church at Bulverhythe.

[ 48 ]

23	Conqueror's Stone (Vignette).
24	Ruins at Crowhurst.
25	Font in Battle Church (Vignette).
26	Pevensey Castle.
27	Battle Abbey.
28	Battle Church.
29	Gypsies, &c. by Clennell.

W Wilson, Printer, 4, Greville-Street, London.

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