Horace Walpole was a personal friend of John Collier of Hastings. He travelled through East Sussex and stayed at Battle Abbey. He describes the country here in his Letters - "The Holy Land of Abbeys and Gothic Castles " (1752). The Gateway is a tower about 54 feet high, of three stories, with an octagon turret. It is considered one of the noblest specimens of the Norman Gothic now remaining. All tourists and visitors to Hastings should see Battle Abbey. A small fee is charged for entrance by ticket.
Built by Sir Edward Dalyngruge, 1386 (Richard II.), was a fortified Castle, surrounded by a moat supplied from the river Rother running close by, and the most perfect example of a moated stronghold in the Kingdom. The domain has changed ownership several times in its history. During the Parliamentary Wars the fighting was fierce around it, and the Royalists having taken possession, dismantled the fortress and left it in ruins. The ruins are, however, not neglected. A custodian is in residence close by. The moat is there, and Bodiam Castle is easilv reached by road or rail from Hastings, and is one of the favourite trips for visitors, and the scene one of picturesque beauty.
HURSTMONCEUX CASTLE.
Hurstmoncenx was one of the 108 Manors bestowed with the castlery of Hastings on the Earl of Eu by William the Conqueror. Afterwards became the property of Waleran de Herst, who took the name of Monceux, son of Waleran, a Norman. In the reign -
