Background Information

Everyone knows at least one date in English history - 1066 - the year the invading Normans defeated the English at the Battle of Hastings. In fact the conflict took place some seven miles north of Hastings, at a place then called Senlac. Here, William the Conqueror later founded 'Battle' Abbey to commemorate the event: and on the site of its high altar, you can stand on the very spot where King Harold of England fell. Now an imaginative exhibition: 1066: The Battle for England, brings the background and impact of the famous battle vividly to life.

As the symbol of Norman victory, Battle Abbey enjoyed great wealth and special privileges. Little of the original Norman structure survives, but you can still see many later monastic buildings, including the dormitory range with its fine vaulted novices' chamber. The west range, incorporating the abbots' Great Hall, was converted into a mansion after Henry VIII's Dissolution of the Monasteries, and is now a school. Best preserved and most impressive of all is the Great Gatehouse, rebuilt c. 1338 and perhaps the finest surviving monastic entrance in Britain. The battlefield - later part of the abbey's Great Park - and abbey were purchased for the nation in 1976.

The audio tour re-creates the sounds of the battle, as you stand where the Saxon army's ridgetop 'shield wall' watched the Normans advancing towards them. After about an hour of fighting, the Normans panicked and fled, but William rallied them and successfully counter counterattacked. Several 'pretended retreats' followed, luring the Saxons into breaking ranks in pursuit, but then cutting them down. After some ten hours of fighting, the Normans launched an assault which finally broke the fatally weakened Saxon shield wall. At this time King Harold was killed, perhaps struck in the eye by an arrow as depicted in the famous Bayeux Tapestry. By nightfall the Norman victory was complete. The new family tour uses 'interviews' with soldiers, monks and key figures from the time to retell the story of this fateful event.

The exciting 1066:The Battle for England exhibition uses the latest technology and interactive displays to draw a vivid picture, from both Saxon and Norman viewpoints, of the years which led up to the conflict. It also illustrates the impact this pivotal battle had on shaping English history. Listening points, graphic presentations, hands-on interactives and touch-screen displays explore how life was for the opposing sides. Central to the exhibition is a short film, narrated by David Starkey, which dramatically explains the events preceding the bloody struggle, culminating on 14 October 1066 when 'the fields were covered in corpses, and all around the only colour to meet the gaze was blood-red'. [The Chronicle of Battle Abbey]. The new building which houses the exhibition, carefully designed to reflect the building materials and surroundings of this historic site, includes a stylish caf‚ serving light lunches and all day refreshments.

Visit the abbey museum, which explores the history of the abbey and includes artefacts found on site during excavations. The discovery Centre, housing an activitybased exhibition, is available to pre-booked school parties and open to families at weekends and throughout the school holidays. There is also a themed children's outdoor play area.

Following your visit, why not while away a pleasant afternoon in Battle town: it has a Town Trail, museum, plenty of antique shops, and hosts events and farmers' markets. From Battle you can take the 1066 Walk to Pevensey Castle (one of Britain's oldest strongholds) where William first landed before moving to Hastings. Find out about other places in the area by visiting the tourist information centre in the site shop, which is accessible from Battle High Street.