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Old 01-13-2012, 01:20 PM
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Default Battle Abbey: memorial to 1066 battle

Battle Abbey: memorial to 1066 battle

01-13-2012 04:25 AM

Published:
Fri, 2012-01-13 12:20


Battle Abbey: memorial to 1066 battle


Heather Joy


Battle Abbey: memorial to 1066 battle

Heather Joy
Standing over the field of a long-ago fought battle can be captivating as you imagine the soldiers on horses and foot, brandishing their sword, lance or ax and charging into combat. While there may be no visible trace of the Battle of Hastings, fought here on 14 October 1066, the remains of a former abbey stand as a memorial to that day’s events.
Although there are disputes among historians about the subtleties the reason for the battle is simple.
King Edward the Confessor, who was childless, had promised the English throne upon his death to Duke William of Normandy. Edward had spent more than 20 years in Normandy after he and his parents were forced to flee England. Later during his reign he surrounded himself with Norman favorites.
Edward sent his ambassador, Earl Harold of Wessex, to Normandy to relay the news to William that he, William, would be the next King of the prosperous England.
Edward died January 4, 1066, and this is where the story becomes a little confusing and debatable. One theory is on his deathbed, Edward changed his mind and asked Harold to take the throne or perhaps as another theory suggest Harold simply took the crown. Although we may never know which is correct, we do know that Harold was consecrated king in Westminster Abbey the next day.
William organized a fleet and an army and sailed across the English Channel with plans to take the throne by force that he felt was his.
According to English Heritage, which helps manage more than 400 historic sites across England, William stumbled as he exited his ship and fell into the mud, rising to his knees; he held his muddy hands high and said, “I have seized England with both hands.”
Upon hearing of William’s landing, Harold hurriedly moved his troops south. Harold and the Saxons occupied the crown of Senlac Ridge while William’s warriors were to the south. The long day’s battle started roughly for William.
He gradually gained the advantage with a clever tactic. The audio tour, which is available while you walk around the battlefield, claims his troops began to retreat, tricking the Saxons into following. The ruse worked and the Norman force suddenly turned and charged their pursuers, who had broken ranks were easily bested.
During the final assault that evening, Harold was fatally wounded by an arrow that pierced his brain through an eye.
After the battle William was crowned king on December 25 and the history of England took a radical turn with the Anglo-Saxon nobility almost completely displaced and their lands given to William’s Norman followers.
William had an abbey erected upon the battle site, like a great war memorial, the abbey was a way to honor the dead but also represented the Norman’s plan to build grandiose buildings that represented their power and brought settlers to the empty countryside. Naming it Battle Abbey, the Normans showed a degree of arrogance according to literature provided by English Heritage.
Getting there…
Battle is in southern England, about seven miles north of the coastal city of Hastings. In Battle, at the south end of High Street. Take the A2100 off the A21.
Admission to the battlefield and abbey is 7.30 pounds (about $11.68) for adults, and 4.40 pounds (about $7.04) for children. A family ticket for two adults and two children is 19 pounds (about $30.40). Members of English Heritage are admitted free. The audio tour is included in the admission price.
The site is open January 11 – February 12 and February 18 – March 3, 2012 on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. It will be open daily from 10 a.m.- to 6 p.m. from February 13 -17th. For additional opening times log on to www.english-heritage.org.uk.
More information about the area can be found www.1066country.com.







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