| East Street & The Lanes |  |
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This is the heart of the old town of Brighthelmstone but the area, built on low chalk cliffs, suffered badly from erosion in the past. Between 1250 and 1350, almost 50 acres were lost and with them the mediaeval buildings. Further erosion, and the sacking of the town by the French twice in the 16th century, destroyed even more. |
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| The seafront is now protected by the sea wall, built in the early 1800's along with the new seafront road, and the beach itself is protected by the many groynes built out into the sea to keep the shingle in place. |  |
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| The main streets, formed by the 1600's, were Middle Street, Ship Street and Black Lion Street enclosed by East Street, North Street, West Street, and the sea. South Street was lost to erosion. |  |
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| Some of the lanes, built around the alleyways, or twittens, of the old town still remain, and recent rebuilding has recreated some of the old town with areas like Dukes Lane (1979), Brighton Square, and Clarence Yard. |  |
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