Edward was pleased with the office Lewis had chosen for him.
“First, then,” said he, “I must tell you that Brighton, or more properly Brighthelmstone, is of Saxon origin; for it is said, the Saxons invaded it in the fifth century, and afterwards settled here. It is said, also, that it took its name from Brighthelm, a Saxon chief, to whom Ella, the invader, gave the place. Many years afterwards it was possessed by the family of Godwin, earl of Kent, and from him it descended to his son Harold.”
“Ah! poor king Harold,” said Lewis, “I recollect he was killed in the battle of Hastings, while he was fighting against William the Conqueror. I think I shall write something about that famous battle.”
Edward thought it would be well to do so, because the battle was fought on that very coast, and because Brighton changed masters in consequence; for William the Conqueror gave all poor king Harold’s possessions to his son-in-law, William de Warren.
“Perhaps,” Edward said, “you will not think it worth while to notice the next thing my book mentions; which is, that a charter for a weekly market was obtained for the town of Brighton, in 1313.”
Lewis thought it was a sign of its being, even at so early a period, a place of some consequence; and supposed it had been getting larger and richer ever since, until it had grown into what they saw it.
Edward told him he was in a great hurry to finish the story; but that the thievish Danes had no mind for letting Brighton alone so quietly, whilst it remained open to their attacks, and offered so fair a prospect for their enriching themselves. After the Danes, the French made frequent warlike incursions on this line of coast, plundering and shedding blood wherever they appeared.
“But,” asked Lewis, “why did not the people do something to keep away these troublesome Frenchmen? If they let them come quietly and take away their property, I think they were poor tame things, and did not deserve much pity.”
“Ah! but you are mistaken there,” said Edward: “though their king, Edward III., was engaged in a war in France, and had left his own country undefended, the people here established a protective guard of their own: they were some of the bravest men among the seamen and inhabitants, and mounted on their fleet horses, they were ready at a moment’s call, when danger was apprehended.”
“Many years after this, during the war between Henry VIII. and Louis XII., the French appeared on the coast, with the intention of burning Brighton. Soon, however, the beacons were lighted; and the people seeing them, far and near, came together in such numbers, that the French thought it best to take themselves off without putting their cruel plan into execution. Queen Elizabeth afterwards granted some money to the town of Brighton, with which land was purchased, and a building made to hold their stores and ammunition: beside this, she ordered four strong gates to be built, leading from the cliff to the town beneath it, and a high wall of flints, which extended on both sides of the storehouse.”