Pilgrims Rest is an outstanding building in an historic location next to one of the most significant battle sites in English history. It is one of the oldest properties in Battle and its records date back eight hundred years.

It is said that when King Harold was killed on 14th October 1066, his remains were so butchered on the battlefield that his mistress, Edith Swanneck recognised them only through a birthmark. The Papacy later ordered the Normans to do penance for his death and for the violence done to his body and ordered an Abbey to be built on the place where he was killed.

On the other hand, the spin put out by William was that he had already decided to build an Abbey on the battleground as thanks for his victory.

In 1070, just four years after the Battle of Hastings, building work began on the Abbey. A big project like that would have required a major work force, so it’s very easy to see how houses, workshops, forges, carpentry shops and merchants homes as well as eating places, hostels and inns would have sprung up on all sides. The north trade route that leads into today’s High Street provided an easy and flat approach to the Abbey’s building site and a commercial supply centre would have quickly developed where the town is today - even before the first stone was laid.