Hastings Castle
It has been conjectured that William the Conqueror was so certain of success in his campaign to reign England that he actually carried pre-fabricated forts made of wood aboard his ships. It is possible that one of these became the first Hastings Castle.It has been conjectured that William the Conqueror was so certain of success in his campaign to reign England that he actually carried pre-fabricated forts made of wood aboard his ships. It is possible that one of these became the first Hastings Castle. Replaced with an impregnable stone fortress, Hastings Castle protected the harbour that existed here. Nevertheless, the force of nature was no match for the fortification. Vicious storms in the 13th century destroyed most of Hastings, its harbour and a large part of the castle collapsed into the sea. The remains that you'll see here today are less than half the original structure.
In 1075, the castle was passed into the hands of Robert, Count of Eu. He founded the Collegiate Church of St. Mary-in-the-Castle. The spot would become a place of pilgrimage in the late 13th century. Today, the remains of the church are in a better state than the rest of the ruins. You'll find more information on the story of 1066 in the siege tent. A 20 minute audio-visual brings to life the conquest of England and the history of Hastings castle.
Location
Address: West Hill
Town/City: Hastings
County: East Sussex
