of opinion that there was a Danish settlement in Hastings, and that it was the only one in Sussex. The etymology of Hastings, therefore, still remains to be discovered. T. B. B.]
Query. “What is the meaning and derivation of the Sussex word ‘Trug’?” It is the Danish “Trug” and Saxon “Trog”, and means a trough or tray scooped out of a piece of wood for domestic or other purposes. The Hastings fishermen, pronouncing the word trough as trow, call the wooden troughs with which they ease their boats up and down the beach as trows or troes. T. B. B.]
Note. “On one occasion when Lady Hester Stanhope was at Hastings (when she was at most only eight years old) her curiosity being greatly excited by the bows and feathers of Compte d’Adheimer, the French Ambassador and his train she resolved to go and see the country which could produce such marvelous specimens of humanity. A visit which her family some time after to Hastings, gave her, as she imagined, an admirable opportunity of carrying this scheme into execution. One day, as she was amusing herself on the beach, she observed a boat floating close to the shore, and, getting into it, she pushed off, with the full intention of going to the French coast, but she had the good fortune to be brought back again before she had time to run into any serious danger.” “E. M.”, Oxford, July 1, 1856.
Extracts from the Browne Willis MSS in the Bodleian Library, and contributed by “E. M.” [Rev E. Marshall] to the Hastings News. – “Hastings is a timber built town, situate between two hills. The bottom of the town borders on the sea. It has two streets parallel to each other, joined by means of lanes or alleys. Some few sea houses are built of brick. There about 300 houses in the town. The Town Hall is supported by wooden pillars and is of brick. Here is a Mayor, Town Clerk and 12 Jurats; also two churches – viz. St. Clement’s which has three lited(?) aisles, an embattled tower, a clock and six bells; and All Saints, which has three aisles and five bells. At one end of the town an old ruined castle.
From accounts sent me by Brian Fairfax, Esq. in April 1738, Hastings is the premier Cinque Port, and was in incorporated by the style of Bailiffs, Jurates and Commonality, till Queen Elizabeth by charter, dated Feb. 14 an. regini, 31, made it a mayor town. It consists of a Mayor, 12 Jurates, and an indefinite number of Freemen or combarons(?). The Mayor is elected out of the Jurates by the Freemen on the third Sunday after Easter. The Mayor and Jurates are Justices of the Peace for the town and liberty. The Mayor is of -
