Баттл қаласының тарихы мен ерекшеліктері

Town in East Sussex, England

Prior to 1066, the area had been relatively empty and unpopulated. The nearest settlement was probably located in today's Netherfield ward, within a large, wealthy, ancient hundred called Hailesaltede. The town of Battle grew around an abbey, which was constructed on the orders of King William to commemorate the battle and atone for the resulting slaughter; a settlement probably already existed outside the abbey gates by 1110. The Abbey provided sufficient trade to survive in an otherwise improbable location for a new town and there remain some fine examples of Medieval domestic architecture, for example the Wealden style hall houses in Upper Lake, Pilgrim's Rest and others in the High Street. Battle was most likely the birthplace of two pre eminent stonemasons of the late 13th and early 14th Centuries. John of Battle worked at Vale Royal Abbey and was then chosen by Edward I to supervise construction of some of the Eleanor Crosses, whilst Thomas of Battle was involved with construction at Caerphilly Castle, the Tower of London and Battle Hall. Most of the area was heavily wooded and provided oak and other timbers for navy shipyards, power for making cannons (shipped to Portsmouth or Chatham), cannonballs and gunpowder. It later developed a reputation for the quality of the gunpowder produced in the area. The first recorded gunpowder mill in Battle was built in 1676 when John Hammond was granted permission to build a mill on land owned by the abbey. A gunpowder works was located in Powdermill Lane – the remains of which have been converted into a hotel. In 1722, Daniel Defoe described the town as being "remarkable for little now, but for making the finest gun powder, and the best perhaps in Europe". The Duke of Cleveland refused to renew the licence in 1874 after many mishaps, including one occasion in 1798 when more than 15 tons of gunpowder were left in the oven for too long and exploded. In the past, the town was celebrated for the skill and innovation of its clock and watch makers. This included the development of the first ever electric clock. Battle was the birthplace in 1799 of Eliza Acton, author of the pioneering Modern Cookery for Private Families (1845). This sold well for the rest of the 19th century. It's lists of ingredients, cooking times and other innovations provided a model for the cookery section of the best selling Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management (1861). 'Battel Bonfire Boyes' is claimed to be the oldest of the Sussex Bonfire Societies and to have the oldest effigy (a ‘head’) of Guy Fawkes, now in Battle Museum. Battle mostly escaped the conflict during World War 2. Some bombs and incendiary devices did fall in the area, most notably on the 2nd of February 1943 when 3 bombs were dropped on the town. Two of these failed to explode, but one did detonate, destroying two shops and killing two residents. Close to the parish church are examples of 'dragons' teeth', Second World war, concrete, anti tank obstacles, constructed to hinder the progress of any enemey invasion forces. It is split into four wards: Marley, Netherfield, Telham and Watch Oak. Rother District council provides the next level of government, the bulk of which matches the Bexhill and Battle Parliamentary constituency. The council provides services such as refuse collection, planning consent, leisure amenities, council tax collection and economic development. Since the 2019 local elections, Rother has been run by a coalition of Independent, Liberal Democrat, Labour and Green councillors. Battle is divided into two wards and includes the neighbouring village of Whatlington. The North Battle, Netherfield and Whatlington ward returns two councillors (currently one Liberal Democrat and one Green) and the South Battle and Telham ward returns one (currently a Liberal Democrat). East Sussex County Council is the third tier of government, providing education, children's services, highways maintenance, refuse disposal, libraries and public health services. Following recent by elections ESCC is under ‘No Overall Control’. Battle forms the major part of the Battle and Crowhurst Division which ever since 1992 has returned a Liberal Democrat as its County Councillor. Battle falls within the Bexhill and Battle UK Parliament constituency. It has traditionally returned Conservative MPs to Westminster. The MP since 2015 has been Huw Merriman (Conservative) who is currently Minister of State for Rail and HS2. Prior to Brexit in 2020, Battle was part of the South East England constituency in the European Parliament.

Battle is linked to Hastings and London by the A2100 and A21. Battle railway station lies on the Hastings Line, north of Crowhurst and south of Robertsbridge. It is managed by, and the services are provided by, Southeastern. It was designed by William Tess and is a fine example of Victorian Gothic revival architecture; it has been listed as Grade 2 by Historic England. There was once a station called Mountfield Halt between Battle and Robertsbridge, but this closed on 6 October 1969.

The immediate area was home to notable twentieth century authors, including Sheila Kaye Smith and Elizabeth Jane Howard, and is featured in their books. In the first half of the last century Marriott Edgar (who came to live and to die at Battle) was well known for his witty verses, particularly in association with Stanley Holloway. In Anthony Burgess' novel Earthly Powers, Battle is the hometown of its main character, Kenneth Toomey, where Toomey's father has a dental surgery. Battle is referenced in songs by the alternative rock band Keane, as several of the members grew up in the town. In the song "Sovereign Light Cafe" from the album Strangeland, Powdermill Lane and the battlegrounds are mentioned. "Snowed Under" names Manser's Shaw; "Somewhere Only We Know" does not mention it, but is widely believed to refer to it too. British and Irish Lion Granville Coghlan was born in Battle and later became a schoolmaster.