Mr. Bryde of London, his landlord." Item "They doe present that all the tenementes and shoppes standinge at Bullocks Hyll contained in number syxe and one shopp were all pulled dowen taken convertyd and caryed awaye by Mr. Lyff now bayliffe of Hastinge (Richard Lief, Mayor 1588 Moss). But by what authoritye he hath done the same they knowe not ; and they value the same at twelve poundes." Item "They doe presente that the tenementes shopps, chambers and garrattes in the parish of Saint Clementes in Hastinge nowe called the Butchery and very, muche in decaye in tymber, tylinge, walinge, and other reparacions so that as they do suppose that thirtye poundes will not sufficientlye repay re them."
A market for cattle was formerly held here, and shambles or slaughter-houses for killing. Some years ago while carrying out drainage operations, many bones of bullocks and sheep were dug up in Hill Street, undoubtedly in evidence of the former existence of these shambles. Although " shopps " are mentioned in the report, it seems reasonable that they were of little commercial importance. The accompanying views will give an idea of the appearance of this part of Hastings about the period mentioned. The principal object is St. Clement's Church.
The following description of St. Clement's Church is written by the late Rector, the Rev. Henry C. Brereton Foyster, who has studied the history of this church, and possesses a very excellent collection of views of Old Hastings. The Rev. H. C. B. Foyster recently severed his connection with St. Clement's Parish Church (after a period of nearly 90 years, during which his family were Rectors of either St. Clement's or All Saints' Churches, or both).
"History of St. Clement's Church. Of the early history very little is known. The first Rector, whose name has come down to us, is Laurence Soher, who resigned in 1331. Tradition has it that the first St. Clement's was nearer the sea, perhaps near Hill Street Steps, and that the encroachments of the sea destroyed it. The next Church was built on the present site and probably consisted of a nave and chancel, with one broad south aisle having the Tower at the west end of it. These were of the same width as the present nave and south aisle which stand indeed on the old foundations. They did not, however, extend west of the east wall of the Tower, which thus, was open on three sides. How far they readied eastward cannot be accurately ascertained. The east wall of the chancel cannot have been, by some feet, as far as the present one ; neither can the south aisle have been originally as long as it now is, but it is possible that the addition of a chapel may have extended it to its present length. Of course an arch must have divided the nave from the chancel. The main portion of the masonry of the existing tower belongs to this earlier Church. It will thus be seen that the building was of the usual form of Sussex Churches, the only unusual feature being that the tower was at the end of the aisle instead of that of the nave. This was due to the fact that the direction of Croft Road made it impossible to put the tower at the end of the nave, and the fall of the ground towards High Street prevented the building from being placed farther east. In 1378, a French force landed at Hastings, and burnt the town, and the Church perished, only the tower, and that much injured, especially at the upper part, and portions of the walls, being left standing." H.C.B.F.
