The Battle of Hastings
Hi, let me introduce myself. I'm Kevin
and I've just spent the last 14 years looking into the Battle of Hastings.
Over that time I've managed to acquire copies of the 4 early reports on the Battle namely
The Bayeux Tapestry, - Coffee table book showing the Bayeux Tapestry in a 1:1 ratio
Gesta Guillelmi by William of Poitiers Translation by Chibnall and Davis Oxford Medieval Texts
Gesta Normannorum Ducum by William of Jumièges Translated by E.M.T Van Houts Oxford Medieval Texts ( Vols I and II)
Carmen de Triumpho Normannico by Bishop Guy d'Amiens Translation by Kathleen Tyson
I've also obtained 12th century sources such as
The Chronicle of Battle Abbey Translated by E Searle Oxford Medieval Texts
The Ecclesiastical History of Orderic Vitalis ( Vol II - Books III and IV) by Orderic Vitalis Translated by Chibnall Oxford Medieval Texts
The Chronicle of Henry of Huntingdon Translated by Thomas Forester A.M Copyright free
Chronicle of the Kings of England by William of Malmesbury Translated by J.A Giles D.C.L Copyright Free
Roman de Rou by Wace Translated by Glyn S Burgess The Boydell Press
A copy of Michael Swanton's "The Anglo Saxon Chronicles" is hanging around.
Information on King Edward the Confessor has been gleaned from
Edward The Confessor by Frank Barlow
Edward The Confessor: Last of the Royal Blood by Tom Licence
Life of St Edward the Confessor by St Ælred of Rievaulx Translated by Fr F.J Bertram, RSA
The Life of St Edward, King and Confessor by R.F J Porter
My own background includes a training in Electronics and about 25 years as a civil servant. I have an Open University degree, predominantly in the Sciences. I would like to point out that I have no training as a historian other than watching Time Team for nigh on 20 years! So all feedback is welcome even if negative but please be gentle with me.
I have yet to have definitive proof that the site I think is the site of the "Battle" but I am hopeful that in the fullness of time someone with a metal detector will investigate. Also, I have identified the site of the Malfosse and have some idea where another part of the battle took place.
Existing named "Battle" sites
1. The Official English Heritage site
Due to Time Team I think English
Heritage have preceded on a course of digs across their site to find evidence
of the battle. To date I have not heard of any discoveries. In the words of a
prominent historian " the absence of evidence is not evidence that the
battle did not take place there".
I watched the Time Team special and how
they carefully removed the modern remnants of all the re-enacting to
find...... nothing and scoffed at the collective red faces of English Heritage
but then I got to thinking. What if the stories were true that the monks "flattened"
out the top of Senlec Ridge and dumped the spoil on the slope of the hill thus
covering up the remains of the battle? I don't know the "range" of a
metal detecting device but it's pretty short. You would have a layer of
topsoil containing modern artefacts with a layer of subsoil underneath, which
would be from the top of Senlac Ridge. Underneath that could be the original
1066 surface containing battle debris. Or I could be wrong and the whole thing
could be the normal topsoil, subsoil and bedrock layers but have they checked?
2. Caldbec Hill
Nothing found by Time Team. I have
nothing but the highest respect for John Grehan and his analysis.
3. Crowhurst
Nothing definitively proved for this
site. However, I do have respect for Nick Austin and his analysis because he
has turned up some useful facts. When I started my research, I found
what Nick wrote very interesting even though I disagreed with his analysis and
that's what got me digging a little deeper.
4. Mini roundabout at junction
of A2100 and Marley Lane (Time Team)
Based on the finding of one axe head
(one axe head more than the official site) and the limited scope
given to their military expert. Despite both sides of the road having been
developed for housing no finds other than the axe head has been found. Also
they quite clearly state that William was marching towards London whereas
Williams troops had already spotted Harold II and was heading into battle with
his troops split into three wings. So for me, this site lacks any room
for manoeuvre for Williams cavalry.
Proposed “Battle” Sites
5. Beech Farm
This site has been proposed by Simon
Coleman. I have his thoughts on paper, but I’ve been unable to figure out his
reasoning.
6. Beechdown Wood
This is located just to the north of
the junction of the B2096 with the A271 and is one of two sites nominated by
Simon Mansfield. I have no details of how he has come to this conclusion.
7. Junction of B2096 with Netherfield Hill Road
This is the second location proposed by
Simon Mansfield. Again, I have no information as to why he has chosen this
site.
8. North of Bodiham
This rather vague location is given by
Kathleen Tyson in her translation of the “Song of the Norman Invasion”
9. Two battle sites that together form the Battle of Hastings
This is my choice as to what happened
on 14th October 1066. The first encounter occurred at a place called
“Scen-leag” and was an encounter between the English professional soldier
called Huscarls and the Normans. This is either at the top of Battle High
Street by the Fire Station or just to the North-east of Catsfield. The second encounter, which was the main
encounter, occurred in the vicinity of
Battle Golf Course.
Next Post:-
There are a further 45 posts on various aspects of he Battle including some post on Edward and Emma for you to enjoy!
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