Battle Abbey and Rye

Contrary to what one might expect, the Battle of Hastings did not actually take place in Hastings. It took place a few miles away at a previously nameless stretch of land that was afterwards dubbed Battle. William the Conqueror had an abbey built there by order of the pope to honor the loss of life in the 1066 battle. Of course, the Normans being who they were, they of probably would have erected a huge stone building there anyway to awe the natives into submission. The abbey is partially ruined.

The actual battleground is now full of daffodils. 

Despite the somber setting, I couldn't help laughing at the grave of a furry. I seem to have been taken by words in general that day, since on the ride over I kept being amused by the announcements that the train was going to Battle, or seeing the signs for Battle station.

Despite train delays and the need to take the bus where the tracks were under construction, it was still only mid morning by the time I backtracked through Hastings to Rye. The town has undergone remarkably little change since medieval times. The cobblestone streets are lined with timberframe houses from the 1400s. 

It was a hot day, so I acquired a liter of icecream for the ride to Dover.