Rock-a-Nore

[History Buff]

Can any kind person tell me the meaning behind this name?
I visited Hastings for the first time today and thoroughly enjoyed my vist, especially (as a gril from a fishing port up North) Rock-a-nore.
Many thanks
History Buff

[Geoff Wolfe]

Hi History Buff

I have been told that everyone in Hastings spoke French after 1066 and "Nore" is a corruption of the French word Noir which means black. So originally it would have meant black rock, thus distinuishing it from the White rock which
is further along.

Not sure how correct this is but it's the best explanation i have so far. Can anyone else shed some light on this?

Geoff

[keith Pepper]

According to the late J Mainwaring Baines, local historian and author of 'Historic Hastings' the name came about because in 1581 a document referred to a shop belonging to one william Creasseye as 'lying to the Mayne Rock against the North" (in other words North of the big rock which was the only landmark thereabouts). This got corrupted to Rock a Nore and it was officially named as such in 1859. Buy the book or get it from the library. A gold mine of good stuff.

[john_pepper]

I totaly agree with Keith as to the detail in "Historic Hastings" regarding the question raised.
Going on from there, may I raise a general question that maybe answerd localy regarding this book and the publisher.
I was lucky enough to obtain a copy of the Limited edition signed by J Manwaring Baines and on the inside page was the name Julia Parson (or Julie)- Ropers-Hastings-1955 as this is numbered number 8 of 500 could this person be a relative of the Publisher F.J.Parsons Ltd???

[cherrill compton]

Was thrilled to see the reference to JMB as I used to call that wonderful historian who taught me the truth of just how much plain fun there was to be had in searching through old dusty manuscripts and discovering the lives that were led before our own times. I am fortunate to have a copy of Historic Hastings the he gave me when he was helping me with my thesis during the 60s. He was a wonderful man. Thanks for the memory.

C