Battle, East Sussex

Town in East Sussex, England

Human settlement in England

Battle

View along the High Street towards the abbey

Battle

Location within East Sussex

Area| 31.8 km2 (12.3 sq mi) [1]
Population| 6,800 (2021)[2]
• Density| 503/sq mi (194/km2)
OS grid reference| TQ747160
• London| 48 miles (77 km) NNW
District|

* Rother

Shire county|

* East Sussex

Region|

* South East

Country| England
Sovereign state| United Kingdom
Post town| BATTLE
Postcode district| TN33
Dialling code| 01424
Police| Sussex
Fire| East Sussex
Ambulance| South East Coast
UK Parliament|

* Bexhill and Battle

Website| Town Council

List of places

England
East Sussex

50°55′N 0°29′E﻿ / ﻿50.92°N 0.48°E﻿ / 50.92; 0.48

Battle is a town and civil parish in the district of Rother in East Sussex, England. It lies 50 miles (80 km) south-east of London, 27 miles (43 km) east of Brighton and 20 miles (32 km) east of Lewes. Hastings is to the south-east and Bexhill-on-Sea to the south. Battle is in the designated High Weald National Landscape. The parish population was 6,673 according to the 2011 Census[2] and 6,800 in the 2021 census.[3] Battle contains the site of, and is named after, the Battle of Hastings, where William, Duke of Normandy, defeated King Harold II to become William I of England in 1066. For some 250 years after 1066, official documents referred to the town as (Latin) Bellum or (French) Bataille.

## History

[edit]

Prior to 1066, the area had been relatively empty and unpopulated. The nearest settlement was probably located in today's Netherfield ward, within a large, wealthy, ancient hundred called Hailesaltede.[4][5]

The town of Battle grew around an abbey, which was constructed on the orders of King William to commemorate the battle and atone for the resulting slaughter; a settlement probably already existed outside the abbey gates by 1110.[6] The Abbey provided sufficient trade to survive in an otherwise improbable location for a new town and there remain some fine examples of Medieval domestic architecture, for example the Wealden-style hall-houses in Upper Lake, Pilgrim's Rest and others in the High Street.[7]

Battle was most likely the birthplace of two pre-eminent stonemasons of the late 13th and early 14th Centuries. John of Battle worked at Vale Royal Abbey and was then chosen by Edward I to supervise construction of some of the Eleanor Crosses, whilst Thomas of Battle was involved with construction at Caerphilly Castle, the Tower of London and Battle Hall.[8]

Most of the area was heavily wooded and provided oak and other timbers for navy shipyards, power for making cannons (shipped to Portsmouth or Chatham), cannonballs and gunpowder. It later developed a reputation for the quality of the gunpowder produced in the area.[9] The first recorded gunpowder mill in Battle was built in 1676 when John Hammond was granted permission to build a mill on land owned by the abbey. A gunpowder works was located in Powdermill Lane, the remains of which have been converted into a hotel. In 1722, Daniel Defoe described the town as being "remarkable for little now, but for making the finest gun-powder, and the best perhaps in Europe".[10] The Duke of Cleveland refused to renew the licence in 1874 after many mishaps,[11] including one occasion in 1798 when more than 15 tons of gunpowder were left in the oven for too long and exploded.

In the past, the town was celebrated for the skill and innovation of its clock and watch makers. This included the development of the first ever electric clock.[12]

Battle was the birthplace in 1799 of Eliza Acton, author of the pioneering Modern Cookery for Private Families (1845). This sold well for the rest of the 19th century. Its lists of ingredients, cooking times and other innovations provided a model for the cookery section of the best-selling Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management (1861).[13]

'Battel Bonfire Boyes' is claimed to be the oldest of the Sussex Bonfire Societies and to have the oldest effigy (a ‘head’) of Guy Fawkes, now in Battle Museum.[14]

Battle mostly escaped the conflict during World War 2. Some bombs and incendiary devices did fall in the area, most notably on 2 February 1943 when 3 bombs were dropped on the town.[15] Two of these failed to explode, but one did detonate, destroying two shops and killing two residents. Close to the parish church are examples of 'dragons' teeth', Second World war, concrete, anti-tank obstacles, constructed to hinder the progress of any enemy invasion forces.[15]

## Governance

[edit]

Battle is governed at the lowest level by Battle Town Council, consisting of (when a full complement) 13 elected councillors who meet on the third Tuesday of each month. The council is responsible for street lighting, allotments, cemeteries and recreational areas. It provides a local voice to the district and county councils.[16] It is split into four wards: Marley, Netherfield, Telham and Watch Oak.

Rother District council provides the next level of government, the bulk of which matches the Bexhill and Battle Parliamentary constituency. The council provides services such as refuse collection, planning consent, leisure amenities, council tax collection and economic development. Since the 2019 local elections, Rother has been run by a coalition of Independent, Liberal Democrat, Labour and Green councillors. Battle is divided into two wards and includes the neighbouring village of Whatlington. The North Battle, Netherfield and Whatlington ward returns two councillors (currently one Liberal Democrat and one Green) and the South Battle and Telham ward returns one (currently a Liberal Democrat).

East Sussex County Council is the third tier of government, providing education, children's services, highways maintenance, refuse disposal, libraries and public health services. Following recent by-elections ESCC is under ‘No Overall Control’. Battle forms the major part of the Battle and Crowhurst Division which ever since 1992 has returned a Liberal Democrat as its County Councillor.

Battle falls within the Bexhill and Battle UK Parliament constituency. It has traditionally returned Conservative MPs to Westminster. The MP from 2015 to 2024 has been Huw Merriman (Conservative) who was Minister of State for Rail and HS2. After Merriman stood down Conservative Kieran Mullan was elected.

Prior to Brexit in 2020, Battle was part of the South East England constituency in the European Parliament.

## Landmarks

[edit]

Gatehouse of Battle Abbey

Telham Hill is 1.0 mile (1.6 km) south-east of Senlac Hill, and it was from Telham Hill that William the Conqueror first caught sight of the English army forming up on Senlac Hill, for the Battle of Hastings, 14 October 1066. In the late 19th century it was owned and farmed by Samuel Carter as part of his Quarry Hill estate.[17][18] At the top of the hill is a mound of uncertain date and purpose.

The Abbey is known as Battle Abbey, and was dedicated to St Martin, sometimes known as the "Apostle of the Gauls". The abbey was founded to commemorate the battle, and dedicated in 1095. Construction was initiated by a small group of monks from Marmoutier, France. The high altar of the abbey church was reputedly sited on the spot where Harold died. The gateway is the dominant feature of the south end of the main street, although much of the rest of the abbey buildings have been demolished or adapted for domestic living. The remaining cloisters, part of the west range, were leased to Battle Abbey School shortly after World War I, and the school remains in occupancy.

Opposite the Abbey is the church of St Mary the Virgin, consecrated in 1115 and enlarged since. It contains the notable alabaster tomb of the first occupant of the abbey after the dissolution of the monasteries under Henry VIII: Sir Antony Browne and his wife. The church also contains early 14th Century wall paintings, fine monuments and brasses.[19] The church contains the 'Senlac window', a stained glass window depicting the Battle of Hastings and completed in 1984. It also exhibits the 3.2m long Battle Tapestry, modelled on the Bayeux Tapestry and depicting how the town might have developed from 1066 to the consecration of the church in 1115. It was produced by 741 individual 'stitchers' and completed in 2017.[20]

Battle is famed for its old-fashioned High Street, with many shops and restaurants on either side.[21]

There are three Sites of Special Scientific Interest within the parish:

* Blackhorse Quarry, a site of palaeontological interest which has produced many fossil bones and teeth, including those of Iguanodon and crocodiles.[22]
* Hemingfold Meadow is a site of biological interest consisting of two meadows with nationally rare grassland species.[23]
* Darwell Wood, another site of biological importance as an example of hornbeam coppice with oak standards is partially within the parish.[24]

## Transport

[edit]

Battle is linked to Hastings and London by the A2100 and A21.

Battle railway station lies on the Hastings Line, north of Crowhurst and south of Robertsbridge. It is managed by, and the services are provided by, Southeastern. It was designed by William Tess and is a fine example of Victorian Gothic revival architecture;[25] it has been listed as Grade 2 by Historic England.

There was once a station called Mountfield Halt between Battle and Robertsbridge, but this closed on 6 October 1969.

## Popular culture

[edit]

The immediate area was home to notable twentieth-century authors,[26] including Sheila Kaye-Smith and Elizabeth Jane Howard, and is featured in their books. In the first half of the last century Marriott Edgar (who came to live and to die at Battle) was well known for his witty verses, particularly in association with Stanley Holloway. In Anthony Burgess' novel Earthly Powers, Battle is the hometown of its main character, Kenneth Toomey, where Toomey's father has a dental surgery.

Battle is referenced in songs by the alternative rock band Keane, as several of the members grew up in the town. In the song "Sovereign Light Cafe" from the album Strangeland, Powdermill Lane and the battlegrounds are mentioned. "Snowed Under" names Manser's Shaw; "Somewhere Only We Know" does not mention it, but is widely believed to refer to it too.[27]

British and Irish Lion Granville Coghlan was born in Battle[28] and later became a schoolmaster.

## Notable people

[edit]

* Eliza Acton (1799–1859), poet and food writer, wrote Modern Cookery for Private Families[29]
* Cecil W Bacon (1905–1992), artist[30]
* Veronica Beechey (1946–2021), feminist and sociologist[31]
* Barbara Bodichon (1827–1891), artist, feminist, and educationalist, co-founded Girton College[32]
* Moya Bowler (born 1940), shoe designer[33]
* Samuel Carter (1805–1878), railway solicitor and politician[34]
* Frank Chacksfield (1914–1995), conductor and composer[35]
* Tom Chaplin (born 1979), lead singer of Keane[36]
* Thomas Clyde (1917–1999), film producer[37]
* Tom Dakin (born 1943), cross-country skier[38]
* Bertram Dobell (1842–1914), bookseller, publisher, and poet[39]
* William Frankland (1912–2020), allergist and immunologist[40]
* Binnie Hale (1899–1984), actress, singer and dancer[41]
* William Hammond (1719–1783), hymnist[42]
* Mark Judge (1847–1927), architect[43]
* Reginald Lambert (1882–1968), cricketer[44]
* W.A. Lamborn (1877–1959), physician and medical entomologist[45]
* Leonard Newbery (1905–1976), cricketer[46]
* Herbert Arnould Olivier (1861–1952), artist[47]
* Thomas Pilchard (1557–1587), priest, one of the Eighty-five martyrs of England and Wales[48]
* Tim Rice-Oxley (born 1976), keyboardist and backing vocalist of Keane[36]
* Francis Ronalds (1788–1873), scientist, engineer and inventor[49]
* Steven Scott (born 1985), shooter, Olympic bronze medallist[50]
* Mary Jean Stone (1853–1908), historical writer and biographer[51]

## Twin towns

[edit]

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in the United Kingdom

Battle is twinned with Saint-Valery-sur-Somme, France.[52]

## See also

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Battle, East Sussex.

* List of places of worship in Rother

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "East Sussex in Figures". East Sussex County Council. Archived from the original on 28 December 2012. Retrieved 26 April 2008.
2. ^ a b "Town population 2011". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 6 October 2015.
3. ^ ONS (2024). "2021 census".
4. ^ Netherfield: A Place to Defend. Archived 23 January 2021 at the Wayback Machine Accessed September 2020.
5. ^ Open Domesday: Netherfield. Archived 19 October 2020 at the Wayback Machine Accessed September 2020.
6. ^ Searle, Eleanor (1974). Lordship and Community. Toronto, Canada: Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies. p. 69\. ISBN 0-88844 018-9.
7. ^ Martin,David, Martin, Barbara and Whittick, Christopher (2015). Building Battle Town: An architectural history, 1066-1750. Burgess Hill, Sussex: Domtom Publishing Limited.`{{cite book}}`: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
8. ^ Alderton, David (2021). "Stonemasons of Battle" (PDF). Battle and District Historical Society. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
9. ^ Kiloh, G (2019). "Gunpowder at Battle, Sedlescombe and Brede" (PDF). Battle and District Historical Society. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
10. ^ Defoe, Daniel (1959). A tour through England and Wales. J.M. Dent and Sons Ltd, London. Archived from the original on 16 April 2009. Retrieved 26 August 2008.
11. ^ Guy Fawkes Archived 29 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine
12. ^ Doherty, G (2019). "Battle's clock and watchmakers" (PDF). Battle and District Historical Society. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
13. ^ Ray, Elizabeth. "Acton, Eliza". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, online e. Jan 2008 4 April 2015 Archived 23 January 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Pay-walled.
14. ^ "Battel Bonfire Boyes". Archived from the original on 6 April 2007. Retrieved 17 March 2007.
15. ^ a b Clephane-Cameron, N. and Kiloh, G. (2017). "Battle at war after 1066" (PDF). Battle and District Historical Society. Retrieved 29 February 2024.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
16. ^ "About Battle Town Council". Battle Town Council. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
17. ^ "Samuel Carter". Dictionary of Unitarian and Universalist Biography. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
18. ^ "Maria Carter née Ronalds". Sir Francis Ronalds and his Family. Archived from the original on 13 February 2018. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
19. ^ Allen, John (29 February 2024). "Battle St Mary". Sussex Parish Churches. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
20. ^ "The Battle Tapestry". St Mary's Battle. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
21. ^ "Food and drink in Battle - Restaurants in Battle - Visit 1066 Country". Archived from the original on 15 May 2020. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
22. ^ "Natural England – SSSI (Blackhorse Quarry)". English Nature. Archived from the original on 15 April 2009. Retrieved 3 October 2008.
23. ^ "Natural England – SSSI (Heingfold Meadow)". English Nature. Archived from the original on 15 April 2009. Retrieved 3 October 2008.
24. ^ "Natural England – SSSI (Darwell Wood)". English Nature. Archived from the original on 15 April 2009. Retrieved 3 October 2008.
25. ^ "Into Battle (Battle station, East Sussex, UK)". 27 September 2017.
26. ^ Kiloh, George (2021). Battle characters through the ages. Battle, Sussex: Battle and District Historical Society. ISBN 978-1-903099-10-0.
27. ^ "Keane - Somewhere only we know-Het verhaal achter het nummer". Top 2000 a gogo.
28. ^ "Granville Boyle Coghlan at cricketarchive.com". Archived from the original on 30 May 2019. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
29. ^ Hardy, Sheila M. The Real Mrs. Beeton: The Story of Eliza Acton. p. 17\. ISBN 9780752461229.
30. ^ "Obituary: Cecil Bacon". Independent.
31. ^ "Veronica Beechey obituary". The Guardian.
32. ^ Wojtczak, Helena. "Barbara Leigh Smith Bodichon: The Hastings Connections". Hastings Press.
33. ^ Carey, Bernadette (25 March 1966). "They'll either love or hate my shoes, designer says" (PDF). New York Daily Observer.
34. ^ "Samuel Carter". Dictionary of Unitarian and Universalist Biography. Retrieved 29 January 2025.
35. ^ Musiker, Musiker, Naomi, Reuben (2014). Conductors and Composers of Popular Orchestral Music: A Biographical and Discographical Sourcebook. Routledge. p. 37\. ISBN 1135917779.`{{cite book}}`: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
36. ^ a b "Keane's Tom Chaplin and Tim Rice-Oxley look back: 'Long friendships are like a marriage. You have to adapt to each other's madness'". The Guardian. 2024.
37. ^ "The Yale Alumni Weekly". Yale University. 21: 18. 1912.
38. ^ "Tom Dakin". Sports-Reference.
39. ^ "Bertram Dobell Biography (1842-1914)". Victorian Era.
40. ^ Watkins, Paul (2018). From Hell Island To Hay Fever: The Life of Dr Bill Frankland. Brown Dog Books.
41. ^ Webber, Christopher (2025). Hale, Binnie [real name Beatrice Mary Hale-Monro] (1899–1984), singer, actress, and dancer. Oxford University Press.
42. ^ "William Hammond". The Canterbury Dictionary of Hymnology. Canterbury Press.
43. ^ "Obituary". The Times. 26 January 1927.
44. ^ "Reginald Lambert". ESPNcricinfo.
45. ^ "Obituary". British Medical Journal. 2: 310–311\. 1959. doi:10.1136/bmj.2.5147.307-c.
46. ^ "Leonard Newbery". ESPNcricinfo.
47. ^ Holden, Anthony (1988). Olivier. Weidenfeld and Nicolson. ISBN 978-0-297-79089-1.
48. ^ Burton, Edwin Hubert (1914). "Venerable Thomas Pilchard" Lives of the English Martyrs. London: Longmans, Green and Co. p. 265.
49. ^ Ronalds, B.F. (2016). Sir Francis Ronalds: Father of the Electric Telegraph. London: Imperial College Press. ISBN 978-1-78326-917-4.
50. ^ "Steven SCOTT". International Shooting Sport Federation Athletes Database.
51. ^ Mann, Stephanie. "Fleeting Glimpses of a Forgotten Catholic Writer". National Catholic Register.
52. ^ "British towns twinned with French towns [via WaybackMachine.com]". Archant Community Media Ltd. Archived from the original on 5 July 2013. Retrieved 20 July 2013.

## External links

[edit]

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Battle.

* v
* t
* e

Settlements in the Rother district of East Sussex

Towns|

* Battle
* Bexhill-on-Sea
* Rye

Villages and hamlets|

* Ashburnham
* Ashburnham Forge
* Beckley
* Bodiam
* Bowler's Town
* Brede
* Brightling
* Brownbread Street
* Burwash
* Cackle Street
* Camber
* Catsfield
* Cliff End
* Cripps Corner
* Crowhurst
* Dallington
* East Guldeford
* Etchingham
* Ewhurst Green
* Fairlight
* Fairlight Cove
* Flimwell
* Guestling Green
* Guestling Thorn
* Hollingrove
* Houghton Green
* Hurst Green
* Icklesham
* Iden
* Kent Street
* Mountfield
* Northbridge Street
* Northiam
* Oxley's Green
* Peasmarsh
* Penhurst
* Pett
* Pett Level
* Playden
* Ponts Green
* Robertsbridge
* Rye Foreign
* Rye Harbour
* Salehurst
* Saltcote
* Saltcote Street
* Sedlescombe
* Silver Hill
* Springfield
* Staplecross
* Stonegate
* Ticehurst
* Three Oaks
* Twelve Oaks
* Udimore
* Westfield
* Whatlington
* Winchelsea
* Winchelsea Beach

Civil parishes|

* List of civil parishes in Rother

* v
* t
* e

Ceremonial county of East Sussex

East Sussex Portal

Unitary authorities|

City of Brighton and Hove

Boroughs or districts|

* Eastbourne
* Hastings
* Lewes
* Rother
* Wealden

Major settlements
(cities in italics)|

* Battle
* Bexhill-on-Sea
* Brighton
* Crowborough
* Eastbourne
* Hailsham
* Hastings
* Heathfield
* Hove
* Lewes
* Newhaven
* Peacehaven
* Rottingdean
* Rye
* Seaford
* St Leonards-on-Sea
* Telscombe
* Uckfield
* Wadhurst
* Winchelsea
See also: List of civil parishes in East Sussex

Rivers|

* Cuckmere
* Rother
* Tillingham

Topics|

* Geography
* Parliamentary constituencies
* Places
* Population of major settlements
* History
* Museums
* Schools
* SSSIs
* Country houses
* Grade I listed buildings
* Grade II* listed buildings
* Scheduled monuments
* Lord Lieutenants
* High Sheriffs
* Transport
* South Coast Plain
* South Downs
* Beachy Head
* High Weald
* Long Man of Wilmington

* v
* t
* e

Norman Conquest

Leaders|

* William the Conqueror
* Harold Godwinson
* Harald Hardrada
* Sweyn II of Denmark

Battles|

* Battle of Hastings
* Burning of Southwark
* Siege of Exeter (1068)

Combatants|

* Gyrth Godwinson
* Odo of Bayeux
* Leofwine Godwinson
* Hereward the Wake
* Edwin
* Morcar
* Tostig
* Waltheof
* Eustace of Boulogne
* Eadric the Wild
* Robert of Mortain
* Ralph de Gael
* Roger de Breteuil
* Companions of William the Conqueror

Associated people|

* Edward the Confessor
* Stigand
* Edith the Fair
* Edgar Ætheling
* Ealdred
* Malcolm III of Scotland
* Matilda of Flanders

Locations|

* Battle Abbey
* Battle, East Sussex
* Pevensey
* Tower of London

Events|

* Northumbrian Revolt of 1065
* Council of Lillebonne
* Coronations of William the Conqueror and Matilda
* Kentish Revolt
* Harrying of the North
* Danish attacks
* Council of Winchester
* Revolt of the Earls
* Council of London
* Trial of Penenden Heath

Miscellaneous|

* Bayeux Tapestry
* Domesday Book
* Carmen de Hastingae Proelio
* Norman yoke
* William of Poitiers

Portrayals|

1066 The Battle for Middle Earth

Authority control databases

International|

* VIAF

National|

* Germany
* Czech Republic
* Israel

Geographic|

* MusicBrainz area

Other|

* Yale LUX

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