BATTEL, (Sussex) 6 m. from Hastings, and 57 from London. Its old name was Epiton; but took the present from the battle fought on Heathfield bet. this and Hastings, wherein Harold was defeated and killed by Will. the Norman, who erected an abbey there of Benedictines, to attone for the effusion of so much blood, and to pray for the souls of the slain. Its abbot was mitred, could protect the greatest villains that fled to it, and even save the life of any that was going to be executed. By the remains of it, it was, no doubt, a stately pile, and almost 1 m. in com. The gatehouse, which is almost entire, serves for the sessions, and other publick meetings. The incumbent of the Ch. here is called dean of Battel. The T. is reckoned unhealthy, because it is low and dirty. Here is made the finest gun-powder in Europe. It has a harbour for barges, and a ch. s. There is a hill near it, with a beacon on it; for which reason, it is called Beacon-hill, though its old name is Standard-hill, because the Conqueror set up his standard on it, the day before his abovementioned victory. Besides its weekly Mt. on Th. here is a monthly one on Tu. and a Fair Nov. 11. Battel-hall is now the seat of Sir Thomas Webster, but was formerly that of Ld. Montagu.