Background Information

Perhaps the most famous date in English history - 1066 is the year the Normans defeated the English at the Battle of Hastings.William the Conqueror founded 'Battle' Abbey to commemorate his victory: here, on the site of its high altar, you can stand at the very spot where King Harold of England fell.

Now an imaginative exhibition here: 1066:The Battle for England, brings the background and impact of this renowned conflict vividly to life. Founded on the battle site (in fact some seven miles north of Hastings), Battle Abbey enjoyed great wealth and special privileges as the symbol of Norman triumph. Though little of its original Norman structure survives, 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 in about 1338 and among the finest surviving monastic entrances 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 ridge-top 'shield wall' watched the Normans advancing towards them. Early in the battle, part of the Norman army panicked and retreated, but William rallied his soldiers and successfully 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 stage 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 audio tour uses 'interviews' with soldiers,monks and key figures of 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 recounts 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 building which houses the exhibition, carefully designed to reflect the building materials and surroundings of this historic site, includes a stylish café 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 activity-based 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 spend 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.