At some time in the seventeenth century Hastings began to expand out of the valley of the Bourne , and odd buildings were erected in an area to the West that became known as the “Suburbs”. It was not until 1811 that this newly developed street became known locally as George Street, and early in the nineteenth century the George Inn was opened. Continue reading The Hastings Arms
In the days that Hastings had a town wall it would not have been surprising to find allusions to it in the names of the adjoining streets. Indeed, High Street itself developed along what was the road leading from the Sea Gate, whilst across the valley of the Bourne, All Saints Street was originally known as the ‘Kings Highways leading from the Pulpit Gate to the Minnes’. Continue reading The Crown All Saints Street
Kent and Sussex were hot beds of smuggling for centuries, and to judge by reports, still are. Originally, wool was smuggled out to France, rather than other goods coming in. The reason was that we produced high quality wool, but had not the means of processing it. The French and Dutch did. In 1622, it was made a hanging offence to smuggle out wool. The government then imported French and Dutch weavers and other trades to process the wool. That is why we have many large houses of Dutch style in our area. Many parishes have their Cloth Halls, The Weavers, and so on. Continue reading Smuggling
Reproduced from “Gentle Breezes”
Kent and Sussex were hot beds of smuggling for centuries, and to judge by reports, still are. Originally, wool was smuggled out to France, rather than other goods coming in. The reason was that we produced high quality wool, but had not the means of processing it. The French and Dutch did. In 1622, it was made a hanging offence to smuggle out wool. The government then imported French and Dutch weavers and other trades to process the wool. That is why we have many large houses of Dutch style in our area. Many parishes have their Cloth Halls, The Weavers, and so on. Continue reading Smuggling
