BATTLE ABBEY
Before what is commonly known as "The Battle of Hastings",was fought on this spot on October 14th 1066, William, Duke of Normandy, had vowed that, if he was victorious -- "Upon this place of battle I will found a free monastery for the salvation of you all,especially of those who fall; and this I will do in honour of God and his Saints, to the end that the servants of God may be succoured"
(Battle Abbey Chronicle c1180)
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William then ordered William Faber, a monk of Marmoutier, to arrange for stone to be brought from Caen in Normandy, and work was commenced on building the Abbey. The cost was to be bourne by the King