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TimeRef.com
  • Episodes
    Episode Index
    Key Dates Timelines
    By Category
    This day in history
  • People
    A..Z List of Medieval People
    Kings and Queens of England Kings of Scotland Kings of France Kings of Denmark Emperors of Byzantine Popes and Antipopes Crusader States and their Rulers
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    Life in Medieval Times
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  1. Home
  2. Medieval Places
  3. Battle Abbey
Abbey
Abbey
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Battle Abbey

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 County

East Sussex (7 castles) 

 Categories

 Remains

Not complete but much survives

 Access

Only open at certain times

 Location50.9151,0.4873 (Google Maps) DirectionsDirections via Google Maps
 County

East Sussex (7 castles) 

 Categories

 Remains

Not complete but much survives

 Access

Only open at certain times

 Location
50.9151,0.4873
 Directions
Directions via Google Maps
attle Abbey was founded by William the Conqueror and built on the site of the Battle of Hastings. William is supposed to have made a vow to construct a monastery if he was victorious in the fight against Harold at the battle. The altar is supposed to have been built at the exact site where Harold was killed and the royal standard flag had been found on the rising ground that the Saxon King had chosen.

In a dream William had repeatedly measured out a length for the abbey of 500 feet, a foot for each year that his descendents would rule but each time when the distance was checked it was only 315 feet so 315 feet was chosen as the length of the church.

The monastery abbey was dedicated to Saint Martin and was consecrated in 1076, but building work was not completed until 1094 when it was reconsecrated in the presence of William Rufus, seven bishops and the Archbishop of Canterbury. The first monks to arrive at the abbey were from the Benedictine abbey of Marmoutier near Tours in the Loire Valley.

Location

See Also

People

  • HAROLD (II, Godwinson, King of England 1066)
  • Wallace, William
  • William (I, the Conqueror, King of England 1066-1087)
  • William (II, Rufus, King of England 1087-1100)
  • A .. Z List of Medieval People

Related Information

  • Timeline of abbey foundations
  • The origin of monasteries
  • The Cistercian order of monks

Related Maps

  • Map of Abbeys

Related Episodes

Norman Conquest (click here)

Norman Conquest (click here)

Location Map (click to explore)

Timeline

1066

October 14

Battle of Hastings

William the Conqueror and King Harold met in battle at Hastings. Although Harold had the superior position on the battlefield his tactics failed and he was killed. This left England open for William to continue with his invasion plans. ¹

1076

...

Battle Abbey Consecrated

Even though incomplete, Battle Abbey is consecrated.

1094

...

Battle Abbey reconsecrated

Building work at Battle Abbey was completed and the abbey reconsecrated by William Rufus.

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Medieval people

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Selection of references used:

  • 1. David Bates, William the Conqueror, ISBN:0-540-01175-4

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    Location

    See Also

    People

    • HAROLD (II, Godwinson, King of England 1066)
    • Wallace, William
    • William (I, the Conqueror, King of England 1066-1087)
    • William (II, Rufus, King of England 1087-1100)
    • A .. Z List of Medieval People

    Related Information

    • Timeline of abbey foundations
    • The origin of monasteries
    • The Cistercian order of monks

    Related Maps

    • Map of Abbeys

    Explore the White Tower

    Explore four floors of the keep at the Tower of London.

     

    Adventure Game - Early Access

    Early Access to the TimeRef card-based Adventure Game.

     

    Medieval Town - Early Access

    Explore the medieval town.

     

    Medieval Village - Early Access

    Explore the medieval village.

     

    Medieval Abbey - Early Access

    Explore the medieval abbey.

     

    Medieval Theatre - Early Access

    Explore the medieval theatre.

     

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