Langton House, Battle Memorial Hall

By Zoe Ganderton

Langton House and Battle Memorial Hall Langton House was built in 1569 but wasn’t known by this name until after 1730, when Elizabeth, the daughter of the then owners, the Hammond family married a David Langton. The last member of the Langton Family died in 1805. Langton House has been a meeting place for some of the more unfortunate members of the Battle community in the past. Between 1718 and 1724 it was a poor house, and is believed to have reverted to this use again in 1805. Langton House also has history as an educational establishment. In 1791, Elizabeth Langton bequeathed the resources for a charity school in Battle, which was merged with the National School in 1841. The school, on Market Road is still known as Battle and Langton CE Primary School. In 1829, William Ticehurst, a schoolmaster acquired the building. In 1862, Langton House is recorded in a street directory as a ladies boarding school. In 1902, the building was divided into two. Number 80 High Street became Ticehurst House, with number 81 retaining the Langton name. In 1958 the site was sold to The Trustees of Battle Memorial Hall who had been working towards the development of a community building for Battle since 1945. Memorial and village halls were built across the country, particularly after WW1 to honour those who gave their lives. They became popular venues for clubs, meetings, performances and celebrations. Time Line for Langton House and Battle Memorial Hall 80 and 81 High Street 1569 built 1718 becomes poor house 1730 Hammond family take over the building 1805 becomes a poor house again 1829 owned by school master William Ticehurst 1855 a solicitor is practising from this address 1862 the building is being used as a ladies’ boarding school 1902 house divided into nos. 80 and 81 1936 RP Rowe buys the building, sets up an antiques shop 1938 no. 80 a hairdresser is working from the address 1960 The building becomes Battle Memorial Hall 1964 no.80 Lloyds Bank Battle Memorial Hall no.81 South Eastern Electricity Board Showrooms 1972 no.80 Lloyds Bank Battle Memorial Hall and Battle and District Historical Museum no.81 Midland Bank