marked the site of Harold's tomb, is still preserved in the Subscription Gardens of St. Leonards. Hastings, it may be, influenced by Remigius of Fechamp, opened her gates, though it would appear that there were some isolated attempts at resistance, and consequent devastation ; as we see in the Bayeux Tapestry, a burning house, close to the Castle Hill, which it is far more natural to suppose was set on fire by the invaders, than to imagine, with Mr. Planche, that the conflagration was the work of a Saxon incendiary. The lines of William 's camp, overlooking the haven, can still be traced in the Step Meadow, and in the fields to the north of Lady Jocelyn's Villa, immediately adjoining St. Michael's Parish . He ordered , to quote the words on the Tapestry, that a Castle should be dug at Hastings Chester, "iste jussit ut castellum foderetur at Hestenga Caestra," and underneath these words is the picture of the Castle on the summit of the hill, where it still stands. The expression fode retur [1] is advisedly used ; witness the deep trench on the landward side of the Castle, and a corresponding trench which existed till some three years ago to the seaward : isolating a small portion of the hill,of a pyramidal shape,having an area of but a few yards at the top ;this has been cut down to about half its former height; there could have been no motive in isolating, by an immense trench , a mere peak from the rest of -
- ↑ The Latin imperfect implies the commencement of a work which might and probably did take some years in the accomplishment. The wooden castle would form meantime a temporary defence, and be especially useful for the reception of stores.
