Battle Abbey, Benedictine monastery ruins in East Sussex, England
Battle Abbey is a ruined Benedictine monastery site on Senlac Hill in East Sussex, England. Gates, wall sections, and living quarters from different construction phases survive to this day.
William the Conqueror founded the monastery in 1094 as penance for the bloodshed his invasion had caused. The abbey was surrendered in 1538 during the Dissolution of the Monasteries and partly dismantled.
The name recalls the clash of 1066 and the grounds still display the layout of a medieval monastery. Visitors see remains of dormitories and refectories that give a sense of daily monastic routine.
The site lies in the town of Battle and is well connected on foot. Audio guides help with orientation between ruin sections and remaining buildings.
The high altar of the former abbey church marks the spot where King Harold fell during the Norman conquest. Archaeologists found no graves at this location because the remains were moved later.
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