insideSUSSEX Magazine Issue 04 - June 2015 | Page 57

TOWNSPOTLIGHT

S P O T L I G H T

O N

Hastings
Everyone knows the town of Hastings, even if they have never
visited. It’s one of those places that is so important – and famous –
historically, that it’s impossible not to be aware of it. This is where
King Harold met his demise (supposedly with an arrow through the
eye) in 1066 at the Battle of Hastings during the Norman Conquest,
and where William the Conqueror took his place as King of
England. This is where the history of Great Britain changed forever.
Hastings has always been an important town,
apart from the famous battle; it became one of
the medieval Cinque Ports, was a large fishing
port, and was where people came to ‘take the
waters’ in order to get well.

History in Brief
Hastings – or Hastingas as it was then called
(which means followers of Haesta; Haesta was
a king in the area) – is first mentioned in the 8th
century, when Symeon of Durham wrote about
the battle that took place in 771, when Offa of
Mercia defeated Haesta of Suth Saxe (which
went on to become Sussex). Ousted from their
home, the people of Hastingas moved away,
and set up another town in Kent, known as
Hastingleigh.

Offa stayed in Sussex, kept the name Hastingas
for the town, and began to build it into
something important and strategic.
Hastings is older than this first mention though;
Bronze Age flint arrowheads and Iron Age forts
have been found in the area, and this means
that people settled there earlier than 55BC when
the Romans arrived in England. The Romans
exported much of the iron found in the area,
creating the third largest mine in the entire
Roman Empire in Hastings thanks to the plentiful
supply of iron ore that came from the Wealden
rocks.

Things to Do
1066 Target Sports - This large, indoor target
sports centre is a fun, energetic, entertaining

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day out for the whole family, no matter what
their age and ability when it comes to target
practice. Open to the general public as well
as clubs, everyone – including the children – is
assessed before being shown the perfect sport
for them. Sports include target air rifle, axe
throwing, crossbow, and archery.
Hastings Country Park - Hastings Country
Park is 660 acres of exquisite parkland, open
365 days of the year for walking, cycling,
picnics, and general