Experimental Entry
I've had 256 views and no comments! So I don't know if you people out there in internetspace agree or disagree with my theory of where the "Battle of Hastings" was fought. This entry I hope will change this.
In coming to my decision as where the battle took place I laid down a few criteria in the hope that it would lead to the actual site and not one solely based on the site of Battle Abbey. What I would like you, yes you, to do is send me one criterion ( in English if possible) you think is relevant. If you like, this is a thought shower and you're providing the rain or at least a droplet!
To start the ball rolling then .....
1. The battle took place on what is still a "green"field site. This means that the site has not been developed with houses or roads. Otherwise some or a lot of stuff from the 11th century would have come to life and folk would know where the bloody battle took place and I wouldn't be doing this. This criterion does rule out Time Teams preferred option of the mini- roundabout but not the English Heritage site "next door".
2. The battle took place between Harold's overnight camp and Williams lookout position on Telham Hill. This criterion rules out Crowhurst as the battle site because would any sane commander give up the high ground on Telham Hill (142 m above sea level) to fight a pitched battle from Crowhurst Church (20 m above sea level).
3....
Over to you.
2nd July 2016
3. The place that Harold drew up his troops must have been very defendable by 7000 or so foot troops. This is because some reports mention the battle went on for 9 hours ( most battles of that time only lasted about a couple (2) hours.
One thing that bothers me is the lack of casualties amongst the cavalry. We are told that the cavalry charged several times only to be repulsed by the Saxon line but the number of casualties was about the same overall initially and that most of the nobles fighting for the Normans survived. This leads me to think that the cavalry was neutralised rather than engaged.
4. Harold had time on the morning of the battle to prepare defenses against the Norman cavalry.
2nd July 2016
3. The place that Harold drew up his troops must have been very defendable by 7000 or so foot troops. This is because some reports mention the battle went on for 9 hours ( most battles of that time only lasted about a couple (2) hours.
One thing that bothers me is the lack of casualties amongst the cavalry. We are told that the cavalry charged several times only to be repulsed by the Saxon line but the number of casualties was about the same overall initially and that most of the nobles fighting for the Normans survived. This leads me to think that the cavalry was neutralised rather than engaged.
4. Harold had time on the morning of the battle to prepare defenses against the Norman cavalry.
