HASTINGS CASTLE

Sussex

Hastings is, of course, forever associated with the Norman Conquest and the Battle of Hastings (which didn't happen here, but rather on Senlac Hill in Battle about six miles inland).  When William arrived at Pevensey he built a Castle there then travelled to Hastings where a second Castle was constructed, in wood and earth as was usually the case with Norman "travelling" Castles.  It is very likely the materials were brought by boat from Normandy.  It is probable this Castle was down by the shore rather than on top of the cliff where the present ruins stand.

Once the Conquest was complete the land was granted to Robert, Count of Eu whose descendants most likely owned the Castle for the remainder of the Norman period.  The Castle was certainly in stone when it was ordered destroyed by King John, to prevent its fall to Prince Louis.  Henry III refortified the Castle in the 1220s, and most of the buildings which survive today probably come from that period.  There is no keep on the motte, so that was probably built on the seaward side of the Castle.  Most of the major buildings remaining are part of St. Mary's Chapel.

The clifftop setting of Hastings Castle is wonderful, but it has also cost us well over half of the Castle which has long ago crumbled away into the sea far far below.  One part of the cliffside was even deliberately destroyed to build the Crescent of buildings which sit at the foot of the cliff today.

The Castle is open regularly throughout the year - don't miss the dungeons!

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2009