2-30 THE SEA. 



engaged in the herring and mackerel fisheries. They have a benefit association or club, into 

 which they pay a monthly subscription, and when their nets are damaged or lost a part of the 

 money needed to repair or replace them is found. There is also a lifeboat, which has done 

 excellent work. 



And next in sequence comes historical Hastings, which extends for near a mile along 

 the sea at the present time, or, if we include the fashionable town of St. Leonard Von- Sea, 

 its sea front must be reckoned at nearly three miles. Many readers will be familiar with 

 the charming glen or vale in which it is situated, and which opens to the sea on the south. 

 Hastings is otherwise sheltered by high hills and cliffs, and has a warm, even, and yet 

 bracing climate; for salubrity it will rank with any of the popular sea-side resorts. It 

 has a steady population of about 35,000, of whom 700 are fishermen and boatmen. In 

 one week the herring catch has been worth 5,000. A boat fitted for the herring or 

 mackerel season is worth 350, and for trawling 200. The mackerel season commences 

 in April and continues till the latter end of July, while the trawling commences and ends 

 two or two and a half months later. The herring season commences in September and 

 ends in the latter part of November. There is a church at Hastings, under the eastern 

 cliffs, for the special accommodation of fishermen. 



The famous battle of Hastings was fought A.D. 1066, Oct. 14. The alarm sounded, 

 both parties immediately prepared for action; but the English spent the night previous 

 to it in riot and jollity, whilst the Normans were occupied in the duties of religion. On 

 the morning the Duke called together his principal officers, and ordered the signal of battle 

 to be given. Then the whole army, moving at once, and singing the hymn or song of 

 Roland, advanced in order and with alacrity towards the English. 



Harold had seized the advantage of a rising ground, and, having secured his flanks with 

 trenches, resolved to stand upon the defensive, and to avoid an engagement with the 

 cavalry, in which he was inferior. The Kentish men were placed in the van, a post of 

 honour which they always claimed as their due. The Londoners guarded the standard; 

 and the King himself, accompanied by his two valiant brothers, Gurth and Leofwin, dis- 

 mounting from his horse, placed himself at the head of his infantry, and expressed his 

 resolution to conquer or to die. The first attack of the Normans was desperate, but was 

 received with equal valour by the English, and the former began to retreat, when William 

 hastened to their support with a select band. His presence restored the courage of his 

 followers, and the English in their turn were obliged to retire. They rallied again, how- 

 ever, assisted by the advantage of the ground, and William, in order to gain the victory, 

 had recourse to a stratagem, which, had it failed, would have resulted in his total ruin. 

 He commanded his troops to allure the enemy from their position by the appearance of 

 flight. The English followed with precipitation ; the Normans faced upon them in the 

 plain, and drove them back with considerable slaughter. The artifice was a second time 

 repeated, with the same success ; yet a great body of the English still maintained themselves 

 in firm array, and seemed determined to dispute the victory. While they were galled by 

 the Norman archers behind, they were attacked by the heavy-armed infantry in front ; and 

 Harold himself was slain by an arrow as he combated with great bravery at the head of 

 his men. The English, discouraged by the fall of their prince, fled on all sides. The 



