DATE: 1017
Grant of land at Hastings to Abbey de Fecamp
DATE: 1066
Construction of the first Castle of Hastings
DATE: 1069
Sussex divided into 6 rapes, each with castle, to defend Anglo-Norman sea crossings. Hastings Castle given to Robert of Eu
DATE: 1094
William II assembled with large army at Hastings for expedition to France, later abandoned
DATE: 1096
Count William of Eu dies, buried within Hastings Castle
DATE: 1154
Thomas Beckett appointed Dean of Collegiate Church
DATE: 1161
Major building works at Hastings Castle
DATE: 1171
Construction of Hastings Keep (now lost)
DATE: 1201
King John promulgated his Ordinances as to the Sovereignty of the Seas from Hastings Castle
DATE: 1216
Hastings swears allegiance to Louis, son of French King. Castle slighted to prevent it being used against John; death of King John
DATE: 1275
Series of severe storms lead to erosion of Hastings castle Cliffs and buildings. Eventually half the inner bailey was lost.
DATE: 1330
Hastings Castle is noted as being decayed. The Dean of the Collegiate Church petitioned the King for repairs, and was granted custody of the Castle.
DATE: 1339
Town of Hastings plundered by French. Castle briefly brought back into use.
DATE: 1343
Unguarded castle pillaged by townspeople of Hastings. Clergy imprisoned
DATE: 1377
Town of Hastings plundered and burnt by French / Start of long period of decline
DATE: 1546
Collegiate Church within Hastings Castle seized in dissolution of monasteries. Castle in ruins
DATE: 1591
Colchester Castle acquired by Pelham family, Lords of Chichester
DATE: 1824
First excavations of Hastings Castle. Partially rebuilt as pleasure garden.
DATE: 1951
Acquisition of Castle by Hastings Borough Council
DATE: 2009
Towns of Caen, Bayeux and Falaise, the Calvados General Council, the Calvados Departmental Committee for Tourism, the counties of Hastings, Colchester, Norwich and Medway Council collaborate within the framework of the Norman Connection project on the restoration and improvement of Norman châteaux.