Battle of Hastings reenactment explained

The Battle of Hastings reenactment is a yearly reenactment of the Battle of Hastings, held at Battle Abbey in Battle, East Sussex, UK, and drawing participants from around the world.^{[1] [2]} It takes place every year on the weekend nearest 14 October on the site of the historical battle, although it is often arranged across the hill rather than up it, to take account of the smaller number of participants and the need for spectators.

The event is run by English Heritage, which owns the site, and attended by several thousand people yearly. For many years it was an event for amateur groups of reenactors, but more recently has involved scenes by professional actors.

Every five or six years since 1984 it has been the site of major reenactments. At the 2000 reenactment, called "Hastings 2000", about 1000 reenactors on foot,^[3] 100 cavalry and between 50 and 100 archers from 16 different countries took part.

The two-day Hastings 2006 event saw more than 3,000 re-enactors^{[4] [5]} performing for a crowd of about 30,000 paying public.^[6] It was believed to have been the largest pre-gunpowder reenactment event ever held.

References

• Web site: Normans fight Saxons... and the rain. 13 October 2000. 31 January 2009. BBC News.
• Web site: King Harold and William square up. 14 October 2006. 31 January 2009. BBC News. Richards . Stuart.
• Web site: Long road to Hastings as Saxons march to battle . 9 October 2006 . 31 January 2009 . Iggulden . Amy . The Daily Telegraph. London.
• Web site: 1066, the rematch: Harold loses again . 15 October 2006 . 31 January 2009 . Ungoed-Thomas . Jon . . London.

External links

• • Hastings 2006 pages
• Viking re-enactment society
• Conquest – Society of Anglo-Norman History
• English Heritage official page, including re-enactment times/dates
• Re-enactment 2006 video

Notes and References

1. BBC News: "Normans fight Saxons... and the rain". "Among the warriors on the battlefield will be enthusiasts from as far away as Australia, New Zealand and the US."
2. Iggulden. "Among the re-enactors flying in are Poles, Russians, Czechs, Americans and Canadians. Two Frenchman have broken ranks for the first time to fight for the Saxons, the Germans are sending more than 100 for Harold, and the Finns have mustered 16. Admittedly, Iceland's 22 men are fighting for William the Conqueror, alongside the Irish, and Harold's brother Leofwine Godwinson is being played by an Australian."
3. BBC News: "Normans fight Saxons... and the rain". "A major re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings in 1066, involving 1,000 Normans and Saxons, will go ahead this weekend despite the flooding in East Sussex."
4. Richards. "As many as 3,000 re-enactors from across the world have camped out at Battle Abbey for performances on Saturday and Sunday."
5. Iggulden. "More than 3,000 fighters, a three-fold increase on the previous "Mega Battle" of 2000, are massing in full war dress this week to play out a specially extended script, to commemorate the best-known date in British history."
6. Richards. "Tens of thousands of visitors had plenty more than the battle restaging to occupy themselves with."