Battle in East Sussex, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)

Battlefield to Vegetable Garden

— Battle of Hastings, 1066 —

Photographed By Michael Herrick, September 9, 2018

1. Battlefield to Vegetable Garden Marker

Inscription. Battlefield to Vegetable Garden The garden behind this wall was part of the 19th century country estate, but was perhaps a garden or orchard in earlier times.

The land here is part of the original battlefield, part of the slope defended by the Saxons. As it faces south and has good drainage it makes an excellent plot, and may have been a garden for the monastic infirmary. Alternatively, the monks may have used it as a vineyard or orchard: the monastery certainly grew apples and pears.

After 1857 the area was an orchard for the Duke and Duchess of Cleveland; and from the 1930s a vegetable plot. Later in the 20th century it was used as a dumping ground for rubble. It is now restored to its Victorian orchard planting. We have planted local varieties of apples and pears, alongside wild flowers and beehives.

( photo captions )
- Monks gardening from a 13th century French manuscript.
- Battle Abbey estate sale plan, showing (marked in red) the walled garden planted with fruit trees, 1901.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Notable Events. A significant historical year for this entry is 1857.

Location. 50° 54.819′ N, 0° 29.296′ E. Marker is in Battle, England, in East Sussex. Marker can be

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reached from the intersection of High Street and Park Lane, on the right when traveling south. Located next to Battle Abbey along the battlefield path at the Battle of Hastings Battlefield. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Battle, England TN33 0AD, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Abbey and its History (a few steps from this marker); Reredorter (within shouting distance of this marker); Beehives in the Walled Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); East Range of Cloister (within shouting distance of this marker); Dairy and Icehouse (within shouting distance of this marker); The East Range (within shouting distance of this marker); The Duchess of Cleveland’s Walled Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); The Dormitory (within shouting distance of this marker). 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 17, 2019, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)

Photographed By Michael Herrick, September 9, 2018

2. Battlefield to Vegetable Garden Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 17, 2019, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 162 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 17, 2019, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.