The book covers from time immemorial until 1066 the history of eastern Sussex which may mistakenly appear to have been a bit of a backwater. It was shaped by its geology and its geography, with the English Channel to the south, the deep Andreadsweald forest to the north, and large embayments to both its east and west. Genetic influences also played their part as various tribes and peoples came from Continental Europe and across the North Sea to live here. It was not only physically, but almost certainly politically, separate from the rest of Sussex for most of its history. It even had a different name - Haestingas, maybe from as early as the 7th century. It may have looked more towards Kent than Sussex for much of its early existence. Since early Homo Sapiens arrived, the area has clearly been in continuous occupation with periods of intense early industrial activity. Recent archaeological work confirms this, and exciting finds continue to be made. The place where the High Weald uniquely meets the sea has been peopled from ancient times. It is quite rich in Bronze Age history, and Britons and then Romans made iron here. Romans built a giant shore fort but, following their withdrawal, Haestingas probably became pagan again - until King Offa of the Mercians gave the resources to create minster churches. Ever open to the sea and potential maritime raiders it slowly grew. It was never rich, but the people became skilled sailors, in demand by earls and kings. King Alfred protected it with a new fort (or two). Its harbours provided ships for trade and war and royal interest in it grew. Salt was produced in very large quantities and salted the fish to go to market. The foundation of the precursor of the Cinque Ports is described, and the succession intrigues which led to the Battle of Hastings are reviewed afresh, up until the death of Edward the Confessor. The Norman Abbey of Fecamp gained ownership of a large coastal estate in eastern Sussex after William the Conqueror's great-aunt, Emma of Normandy, married kings of England. The same abbey may also have later been granted properties at Pevensey by Edward the Confessor - William will have had good details of eastern Sussex's potential invasion landing sites.

Written by historians who actually live in Battle, East Sussex, the scene of the Battle of Hastings, this book delves into the background stories and events of 1066. It subtly puts the fateful year into the context of the histories, places, people and politics involved in eastern Sussex, as well as further afield, across the English Channel and North Sea. It is the story of how 1066 came to be the best-remembered date in the English speaking world. Many strands accumulated for thousands of years to create the circumstances that led to the battle. But there are large numbers of confusing myths, fabrications and unproven or unprovable inventions of theories around the subject. So the authors went back to the basics, with local geographic and English cultural histories, portrayals of the main events, and histories of the main protagonists - Harold Godwinson and William II of Normandy - and their families, and they have put together a book of interlocking essays. These tell the history of 1066 as accurately but briefly, and above all as enjoyably as possible. Where alternative explanations or doubts arise these are discussed logically and candidly, and raise the odd question. Keith Foord and Neil Clephane-Cameron were advised by historians Prof. John Gillingham FBA, and Prof. David Bates FRSA, FSA, FRHistS, but the words of the book are all their own. This book is the 2nd in the 'Early History Trilogy of Battle and Eastern Sussex'

This book examines and unravels the varied strands of sometimes flimsy evidence about Harold Godwinson's life, death, family, mythologies, and legacy. Born into a powerful Anglo-Danish family in about 1022, Harold's father Godwin Wulfnothson became the premier earl of England. His mother was closely related to the Danish Royal family. He became Earl of East Anglia at an early age and supported his father during his rebellion in 1051 against King Edward the Confessor, when the Godwins were exiled. After their reinstatement in 1052 the Godwins became even more powerful.When his father died Edward made Harold Earl of Wessex and 'Dux Anglorum', his right-hand man. Harold sailed against potential Danish invaders, led sea and land forces against the Welsh and undertook diplomatic missions to Flanders and beyond on behalf of Edward. His trip to Normandy via Ponthieu in 1064/5 remains incompletely understood, but it led to a fateful oath to Duke William of Normandy. In late 1065 there was a revolt in Northumbria which led to his brother Tostig's fall, then in January 1066 King Edward died and Harold became King of England. Later that year, an unexpected Viking invasion led to the Battles of Fulford Gate and Stamford Bridge in Yorkshire (with the death of Tostig), just before Duke William of Normandy invaded Sussex.Harold and his brothers Gyrth and Leofwine fell at the Battle of Hastings and a mythology was created. His remaining wives, children and wider family then experienced very varying fortunes and adventures at home and abroad. England inevitably changed under the Norman yoke after Harold's defeat and the subsequent Norman Conquest. The way in which the change was perceived varied considerably during the following millennium and this is also explored, with many ideas for further reading.

In 1066 eastern Sussex was the beachhead for the successful invasion of England by Duke William II of Normandy. He was crowned William I, King of England, at Christmas 1066 and 1067 was the first year of the Normanisation of England. 1538 saw the dissolution of the major monasteries and abbeys including those of Battle and Robertsbridge, and the start of the English Reformation. How did William and his successors, from the houses of Normandy and Blois, via the Angevin and Plantagenet kings, through the Wars of the Roses to the rise of the Tudors change eastern Sussex? Most of the history is hidden away in ancient documents, but some remains visible, in the ruins of old abbeys and castles and in the landscape itself. Before 1066 eastern Sussex appears to have been somewhat separate from the sub- Kingdoms of Sussex - and many would say it still is. It was more influenced by the Kingdom of Kent to the east than the rather fragmented Sussex to the west. It was at times called Hastingas - which existed from about the 6th to the early 11th centuries. This evolved to became the part of Sussex called the Rape of Hastings, which, with the Hundred of Pevensey, makes up '1066 Country': eastern Sussex. It stretches from Pevensey to Rye, and inland from the coast to the Kentish boundary. Battle and its abbey sits at its heart, on the site of the Battle of Hastings. The ways in which Battle, Bexhill, Pevensey, Robertsbridge, Rye, Winchelsea and all of eastern Sussex evolved between 1067 and 1538 are covered in this book. It also acts as a guide book to further reading about the more complex issues.