Battle Abbey England, UK

Great Gatehouse, 1338 — South side (inside) of the great medieval gatehouse, rebuilt in 1338 for defense during the Hundred Years' War. The upper rooms now house a Museum of Abbey Life. Battle Abbey, East Sussex, England. Image credit: Holly Hayes

Listed Building Description

Text courtesy of Historic England. © Crown Copyright, reprinted under the Open Government License.

TQ 7415-7515 BATTLE HIGH STREET (south west side)

41/1 The Ruins of Battle Abbey 3.8.61 (formerly listed as Battle Abbey) GV I

Of the portions of the abbey above ground the principal buildings dated from C13. These are:- (a) the Dormitory. This was on the first floor with three vaulted rooms below it. Stone rubble. Lancet windows. Buttresses. (b) the Guest house to the south west. Eight barrel-vaulted chambers with buttresses on the south side along the terrace, with rooms over. Stone rubble. Lancet windows. At the west end are two tall octagonal turrets which were built by Sir Anthony Browne in the C16 after the dissolution, when, as Guardian of the Princess Elizabeth he was preparing a lodging for her at the Abbey, though she never came. The Abbey was founded by William the Conqueror in 1087 on the site of the battle of Hastings. The high altar of the abbey church was erected on the spot where King Harold fell. Of the abbey church there are practically no remains above ground, but the founda- tions have been excavated and those at the east end are marked out. Scheduled Ancient Monument.

Listing NGR: TQ7500715726