HISTORY AND ANTIQUITIES
OF THE
Town and Port
or
HASTINGS.
CHAPTER I.
Every enquiry concerning Hastings and its vicinity, as connected with the history and antiquities of the island, must be alike interesting to the historian, the antiquary, and the man of letters. It has claims to peculiar notice as the scene of that memorable contest, which changed the destinies, as it were, of the nation, by annihilating the Saxon dynasty, and substituting that of the Norman in its stead.
How far in the progress of society, and the course of human actions and events, such change may have operated immediately or remotely on the national interests of the country, and the habits and genius of the people, by deteriorating or improving its laws, by retarding the progress of civilization, or by advancing it, are questions more fitted for the politician and the moral philosopher to consider and decide upon.
In a topographical work of this kind, it may be deemed. to be a more clear and lucid arrangement of its subject to divide and classify it under the three historical heads of -
