Hastings

Although the most famous battle ever fought on British soil is known as the battle of Hastings it was actually fought some miles inland where the town of Battle now stands. William did raise a castle at Hastings a couple of days after his landing at Pevensey on the 28th September 1066.

Once the Normans had won victory and slain king Harold, William returned to Hastings to await the formal submission of the English. He waited in vain as the English did not appear, preferring instead to proclaim the child Edgar king. In response William proceeded to systematically ravage the surrounding countryside.