The nearest settlement was probably located in today's Netherfield ward, within a large, wealthy, ancient hundred called Hailesaltede.

[8] 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.

[10] The Duke of Cleveland refused to renew the licence in 1874 after many mishaps,[11] including one occasion in 1798 when more than 15 tons of gunpowder were left in the oven for too long and exploded.

Its 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).

Close to the parish church are examples of 'dragons' teeth', Second World war, concrete, anti-tank obstacles, constructed to hinder the progress of any enemy invasion forces.

Rother District council provides the next level of government, the bulk of which matches the Bexhill and Battle Parliamentary constituency.

Since the 2019 local elections, Rother has been run by a coalition of Independent, Liberal Democrat, Labour and Green councillors.

Prior to Brexit in 2020, Battle was part of the South East England constituency in the European Parliament.

The gateway is the dominant feature of the south end of the main street, although much of the rest of the abbey buildings have been demolished or adapted for domestic living.

It contains the notable alabaster tomb of the first occupant of the abbey after the dissolution of the monasteries under Henry VIII: Sir Antony Browne and his wife.

Battle railway station lies on the Hastings Line, north of Crowhurst and south of Robertsbridge.

It was designed by William Tess and is a fine example of Victorian Gothic revival architecture;[25] it has been listed as Grade 2 by Historic England.

The immediate area was home to notable twentieth-century authors,[26] 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.

Battle is referenced in songs by the alternative rock band Keane, as several of the members grew up in the town.