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Hastings, East Sussex

Town of Hastings, East Sussex

Hastings is a town in South East England, in the county of East Sussex.

Hastings is situated where the sandstone beds, at the heart of the Weald, known geologically as the Hastings Sands, meet the English Channel, forming tall cliffs to the east of the town.

Hastings is best known for the Battle of Hastings in 1066, which actually occurred north of the town at Senlac Hill; the battle is commemorated today in the town of Battle.

The Battle of Hastings took place on the 14 October 1066 after William had landed on the coast between Hastings and Eastbourne at a site now known as Norman's Bay.

During the battle King William (the Conqueror) defeated and killed Harold Godwinson, the last Saxon King of England, and destroyed his army thus opening England to the Norman conquest. After the conquest, William built a castle at Hastings, as depicted on the Bayeux Tapestry.

In the middle ages Hastings became one of the Cinque Ports; Sandwich, Dover, and New Romney being the first, Hastings, and Hythe followed, all finally being joined by Rye and Pevensey.

Like many coastal towns, the population of Hastings grew significantly as a result of the construction of railway links and the fashionable growth of seaside holidays during the Victorian era. The population of Hastings the 2001 census reported over 85,000 inhabitants.

Official Town of Hastings, East Sussex website: www.Hastings.gov.uk