Battle Abbey

Battle Abbey was founded as a Benedictine monastery by William the Conqueror in the late 11th century on the spot where King Harold was killed during the Battle of Hastings. With Dissolution of the Monasteries in the 16th century under Henry VIII Battle Abbey was taken under secular control and many of its buildings demolished.

William the Conquoer most likely founded Battle Abbey as part of the penitence imposed on him by Pope Alexander II for waging war on the English.