William the Conqueror's Stone
This stone slab was known as or near a pool called ‘Old Woman’s Tap’ or ‘Tapshaw / Tapshore’. It was believed to have originally stood roughly at the bottom of Maze Hill and a spring / stream flowed over it (hence the name)[1]. There is some evidence that it was in the way of James Burton’s development, possibly near the site of the Royal Victoria Hotel on the seafront in Brett's Histories[2].
A Hastings Guide of 1794, cited by J. Manwaring Baines, states that the rock known as William the Conqueror's Table, overhung a pool known as 'Old Woman's Tap' - this pool being drained to construct the Royal Victoria Hotel. During construction work, it was moved by means of oxen to St Leonards Gardens[2][3]. It was moved to near the entrance to the Pier around the 1960s, perhaps in 1965/6, when the Triodome was erected on the Pier to house the newly-made Hastings Embroidery. In 1987[4] it was moved back to St. Leonards seafront.[1]
Images
- Images
Conqueror's Stone
Unveiling of Conquerer's Stone
Triodome c1968
Conquerors Stone at Hastings Pier 1972
References & Notes
- ↑ a b Public Sculptures of Sussex Database: Object Details | Public Sculptures of Sussex Database, accessdate: 29 November 2019
- ↑ a b Brett Manuscript Histories Vol. 1 Chap. 1
- ↑ British Newspaper Archive Hastings & St. Leonards Observer 25 May 1940 Pg. 0005
- ↑ Historical Hastings Facebook - Mark Atter
