NATURE AND SPORT IN BRITAIN 



hill rising gently from this eastern end of the Marsh, 

 add a sufficiently pleasing background to a unique 

 Marsh picture. It must have been while hunting in the 

 ancient forest beyond this spot, remains of which still 

 linger between Sewers Bridge and Bexhill, that Earl 

 Moreton, near kinsman of the Conqueror, to whom was 

 granted the Rape of Pevensey, saw on the day and 

 hour of the death of Rufus that dreadful vision of 

 which he has left record. Straying from his followers 

 during the chase, he beheld a great and terrible black 

 goat, carrying upon its back the naked body of the 

 slain Red King. The Earl solemnly charged this 

 apparition by the Holy Trinity to tell him wherefore 

 it bore such a burden. To which it answered, "I am 

 carrying your King to judgment ; yea, that tyrant 

 William Rufus," and so passed on its way, to the 

 exceeding disquietude of Robert, Earl Moreton. 



Historically, the Marsh and its vicinity are full of 

 memories. The noble ruin of Pevensey Castle, with 

 its splendid remains of Roman and Norman times, lies 

 well within the Level, and many a good hare is hunted 

 each winter round the old grey walls. In the heart of 

 the little rounded bay of Pevensey landed the great 

 Conqueror himself, taking seisin as he fell, in either 

 hand, of the soil of England. Across the Marsh, 

 looking northward from where Duke William landed, 

 stands the magnificent ruin of Herstmonceux Castle, 

 a stately and unique pile built by Sir Roger de 

 Fiennes, who fought with Henry V. at Agincourt. 

 This noble castle was reared in the reign of Henry VI. ; 

 it is built of brick, and is undoubtedly one of the 

 earliest forerunners of the Tudor brickwork manor 

 houses. The bricks of which it is composed are small 

 and thin, and as hard almost as pieces of flint or iron. 

 Here at Herstmonceux formerly existed a fine herony. 



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