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English Heritage sign
The town of Battle viewed from the Abbey gatehouse
English Heritage's battle interpretation facility in the grounds of the Abbey
Starting the audio tour of the battlefield
Interpretation panel overlooking the battlefield from the south terrace of the Abbey
Looking from the Abbey south terrace across the battlefield towards Telham Hill
One of the interpretation panels on the audio tour
The Abbey dormitory
An undisturbed part of the upper slopes of Senlac hill adjacent to the Abbey ruins
The site of the altar of the Abbey church which, according to tradition, was placed where Harold fell.
The Abbey on Senlac hill, viewed from the south, looking across the battlefield
The battlefield looking from the shallowest point of the valley, across the battlefield to the Abbey on Senlac hill.
Looking north from Senlac hill to Caldbec hill
Waymarkers define a walk around a part of the centre of the battlefield.
Lake Feild, an accessible and undisturbed section of the Senlac ridge, possibly marking the left flank of the English battle deployment.
The head of the valley defining Senlac hill on its north west side.
The Senlac ridge as seen from the slopes of Caldbec hill.
The 16th century towers added to the Abbey when it was conversted to a country house.
Caldbec hill viewed from the Abbey precinct wall.
Medieval doorway leading up to the interpretation rooms in the Abbey gatehouse.
Waymarker on Caldbec hill marking the Malfosse trail
Abbey gatehouse viewed from within the precinct, in 1896.
Battle of Hastings

14th October 1066

The battle of Hastings was fought on the morning of the 14th October 1066. The English army, led by King Harold, deployed on Senlac hill, where the Abbey and town of Battle now stand, but William's army had already marched north from Hastings and it is said that he engaged before Harold's troops were fully deployed. Contemporary accounts suggest it was a close run thing. William attacked with cavalry as well as infantry, something the English rarely if ever did. In contrast, Harold's well trained troops all fought on foot in the traditional English manner. Formed up behind a shield wall in such a good defensive location, they proved formidable opponents for the Normans. It is claimed that the fighting continued for most of the day.

Finally, after reversals on both sides, William breached the shield wall. The collapse of the English defence may have been as a direct result of Harold himself being killed, for medieval armies so often lost their resolve once their leader was dead. Once their carefully organised formation was broken they were vulnerable, particularly to cavalry attack. Despite a possible attempt to hold the Norman pursuit at a site described as the 'Malfosse', the English forces were routed, fleeing northward towards the woods of the Weald.

Though other forces remained undefeated across the country, having lost their leader and most of the housecarls the English never again mounted a serious challenge. Victory at Hastings had given William one of the greatest prizes in Europe and saw the English people subjugated by an oppressive foreign aristocracy.

1066 is the best known date in English History. The battlefield also has, arguably, the most impressive of all battlefield monuments: Battle Abbey, which was built by the Conqueror in recognition of his victory and in memory of those who had fallen in battle. Despite the laying out of the Abbey and the town of Battle on Senlac hill, and various subsequent changes including the modern expansion of the town, much of the battlefield remains undeveloped. A visit can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience which has been improved by the opening of a new visitor centre and the provision of an excellent audio tour.
 

 


© 2004 The Battlefields Trust.
This website was created with the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Hartnett Trust