Hastings is a well-established town on the South Coast of England, although
the famous battle of Hastings, which occurred in 1066, actually took place
some six miles away (at a place now appropriately called 'Battle'!). It's
sister town of St. Leonards, on the other hand, is a more recent seaside
development commenced in 1828 by James Burton and popularised by the then
Princess Victoria and subsequently by Gladstone and Palmerston among others.
Significant local residents have included George MacDonald himself and
Lady Byron (the poet's widow) who became his patroness and had a home
at 2 Tackle Way in Hastings. Other literary celebrities who visited or
lived in the town at that time included Charles Kingsley, the author of
'The Water Babies' who preached at the Fisherman's church on the Stade
(beach), Dante Gabriel Rossetti (who stayed at 5 The High Street in 1854),
Coventry Patmore (1876-91), and Harry Furness who was the cartoonist for
Punch Magazine and an illustrator of Dicken's work after the latter's
death.
George MacDonald himself took an active part in local life, being a founder
member of the Hastings and St. Leonards Philosophical Society which commenced
in 1858; giving lectures in the Public Hall, Hastings and at the Assembly
Rooms, St. Leonards; and with his family gave dramatic performances.
Town Centre
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Hastings pier was built in 1872
during MacDonald's second stay in the town.
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The Philosophical Society met at a building at Robertson Street
which is now Ned Yates Wine Bar (number 53, there is a Dicken's
plaque on the wall).
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There is a contemporary press account of a lecture given by George
MacDonald at the Philosophical Society. It would seem from this
that the reporter was not very impressed with what he heard, finding
it difficult to follow, and that the audience mainly consisted of
a group of blind people who had been taken there for something to
do!
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2 Wellington Square
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The Rev. Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (1832-1898), better known by
his pseudonym Lewis Carroll, was born at Daresbury, Cheshire on
27th January 1832.
Before achieving fame as a writer, he had become don of mathematics
at Christ Church, Oxford. He had also taken Holy Orders, though
he never took charge of a church.
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He was a frequent visitor to the home of his aunts the Misses Luttwidge,
who lived at 2 Wellington Square. He often stayed there during his
student days. Subsequently, during the summer vacation from Oxford,
staying at Eastbourne, he would walk to Hastings, not only to visit
his aunts, but also to consult Dr. Hunt, who treated him for his
stammering disorder.
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An admirer of the theatre, he attended the Royal Concert Hall,
Warrior Square, St. Leonards; and sometimes preached at nearby
St. Mary Magdalen Church. He was on friendly terms with local
writers including George MacDonald and Coventry Patmore; and with
the artist/ catoonist Harry Furniss who illustrated Carroll's
& Sylvie and Bruno'.
He died in Guildford, Surrey on 14th January 1898.
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Tackleway
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This steep street is named after the fisherman who once lived in
the area and their nets.
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Lady Bryon's (the widow of the poet) who was George MacDonald's
patroness lived at number 2 Tackleway. It was she who financed MacDonald's
trip to Algiers and then suggested that they live in Hastings. Although
this is the front of the house it is much more impressive at the
back with commanding views of the town.
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27 Tackleway
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This is a five storey building where George MacDonald wrote Phantastes
(a book which later inspired such writers as C.S. Lewis and J.R.R.
Tolkien) during his first stay in the town. The plaque on the wall
is in fact wrong, he actually lived there from 1857 to October 1859
(not 1860 - the wall plaque is wrong!).
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While he lived there MacDonald had health problems and consulted
a Dr. Hale, who was a homeopathic physician in the town. Through
this connection he was introduced to Dr. Hunt, an expert in stammering
and thus introduced to Charles Dodgson, better known as Lewis Carroll,
author of 'Alice in Wonderland' and 'Through the Looking Glass'
who was to become a close family friend.
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As you can see the rear aspect of the house is even more imposing
with fine views over the town.
In October 1859, George MacDonald and his family left Hastings
for London, although they returned for a few weeks to St. Anne's
Cottage in Castle Hill Road untill they could find suitable accomodation
in London.
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Halloway House
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Ten years later, they returned to Hastings with their enlarged
family (now eleven children) and from May 1871 they occupied Halloway
House, Halloway Place off Old London Road.
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His book: "At the Back of the North Wind" was completed
while he was living at this house and this was a very productive
period for him.
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The current owners of the house tell a story that it is haunted,
apparently by a Victorian lady in long grey dress. I'm pleased to
say that there is no suggestion that there is a MacDonald connection
there!
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Beachy Head
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Is a well known beauty spot close to Hastings and well worth a
visit if you are in the area.
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