3-043-813 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Battle Abbey, Sussex, 1872. 'Battle, seven miles inland from Hastings, has of course received its name from the great historical conflict of Oct. 14, 1066, before which the place was called Senlac. The third volume of Mr. E. A. Freeman's admirable work, "History of the Norman Conquest," narrates the whole campaign. William the Conqueror, according to the vow he had made, ordered an abbey to be built on the spot where he had won the kingdom of England. It was consecrated in 1095 by Archbishop Anselm, in the presence of King William Rufus, and became one of the richest in England. The inmates were Benedictine monks; the architect of this building was one of that order from Marmoutiers, William Faber, who had been a knight of Duke William's army at the battle. The gatehouse, the abbot's hall, and the almonry or hospital for pilgrims, are still in good preservation. The Duke of Cleveland is the present owner of this place'. From "Illustrated London News", 1872.