Battle in East Sussex, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)
The Great Gatehouse
— Battle of Hastings, 1066 —
Photographed By Michael Herrick, September 9, 2018
1. The Great Gatehouse Marker
This was the main entrance for visitors, as well as for merchants, traders and abbey staff bringing produce from the abbey's own estates. The building led directly into the outer court of the abbey where once stood the barns, storehouses and workshops needed by the monastic community.
The gatehouse was started at the beginning of the Hundred Years' War, in 1338, and was capable of being lightly defended. Inside, it had two sets of lodgings for abbey officials or important visitors, with a further set on the first floor of the west wing above the porter's accommodation. The first floor lodgings are now a museum.
Substantial traces of an earlier, 11th and 12th-century gatehouse, survive in the range in front of you, to the left of the entrance. They suggest that the original gateway lay a little to the west of the present entrance.
( photo captions )
- Battle Abbey gatehouse in 1792. A watercolour by Michael Angelo Rooker (1746 - 1801).
- The gatehouse (left) in about 1737. Detail from a print by Samuel and Nathan Buck.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. A significant historical year for this entry is 1338.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Outer Court (a few steps from this marker); The Battle of Hastings and Battle Abbey (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Great Gatehouse (a few steps from this marker); William the Conqueror Trail (a few steps from this marker); Battle town and the abbey’s estates (within shouting distance of this marker); On the very spot (within shouting distance of this marker); Battle Formation (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); The First Norman Attack (about 120 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Battle.
Also see . . . English Heritage - 1066 Battle of Hastings, Abbey and Battlefield. (Submitted on January 16, 2019, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
Photographed By Michael Herrick, September 9, 2018
2. The Great Gatehouse Marker
Photographed By Michael Herrick, September 9, 2018
3. The Great Gatehouse
Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 16, 2019, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 114 times since then and 4 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 16, 2019, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.
