Battle Formation
Early on the autumn morning of Saturday 14 October 1066 two great armies are preparing to fight for the throne of England.
On the top of this hill are arrayed the English forces of Harold Godwinson, who was crowned king just . . . — — Map (db m128720) HM
Battle town and the abbey’s estates
Much of the land you can see was owned by Battle Abbey. William the Conqueror granted the monastery all the land within a radius of 1.5 miles of the abbey's high altar. The abbot of Battle had power over both . . . — — Map (db m128711) HM
Battlefield to Vegetable Garden
The garden behind this wall was part of the 19th century country estate, but was perhaps a garden or orchard in earlier times.
The land here is part of the original battlefield, part of the slope defended by . . . — — Map (db m128796) HM
Beehives in the Walled Garden
The hives in the garden are based on an 1890s design by William Broughton Carr. The wooden hives help the bees stay cool in summer and warm in winter. They are built in sections using frames, so the bees are less . . . — — Map (db m128800) HM
Dairy and Icehouse
The dairy and icehouse were part of the abbey's later life as a country estate. They were probably constructed by Sir Godfrey Webster around 1818 for his new wife.
The octagonal dairy (left), in the fashionable Gothick . . . — — Map (db m129334) HM
Dusk. William Victorious
The Normans finally break through the shield wall and the English army is routed.
During the final Norman assault the English shield wall breaks. The Normans begin to slaughter any who stand against them.
Those . . . — — Map (db m128795) HM
East Range of Cloister
This was extensively rebuilt in the
13th century. The first floor was
the monk’s dormitory. The doorway
above led to a day-stair to the
cloister. — — Map (db m129379) HM
‘On the very spot’
Sources written within living memory of the Battle of Hastings in 1066 state that Battle Abbey was founded by William the Conqueror ‘on the very spot' where he had secured his great victory over King Harold and the English. . . . — — Map (db m128710) HM
Parlour
This was one of very few rooms where
the monks were allowed conversation.
It was rebuilt in the 13th century.
The doorway in its eastern wall led
to the infirmary. — — Map (db m129346) HM
Rebuilding the Abbey Church
The most important part of an abbey church was its eastern end — here were the altars and the choir where the monks worshipped.
The most ambitious part of the 13th-century modernisation of the abbey was the . . . — — Map (db m129336) HM
Stalemate
The successful Norman counter-attack brings the first phase of the battle to an end.
It is probably early afternoon before the first phase of the battle has come to a close. Neither side has yet won a clear advantage. By now the men . . . — — Map (db m128789) HM
The 11th-century Church
When William the Conqueror founded Battle Abbey he ordered that the church's high altar should be placed on the spot where Harold had fallen.
The stone slab marks the site of the death of King Harold towards the evening . . . — — Map (db m129338) HM
The Abbey and its History
William the Conqueror founded Battle Abbey in 1070 as a memorial to the Battle of Hastings and as an act of atonememt for the bloodshed.
It was carefully laid out on this hillside with the church on the ridge. The . . . — — Map (db m128792) HM
The Afternoon Assaults: Norman Trick Tactics
During the afternoon the Normans weaken the English line by adopting a new tactic.
It is now clear that the English are not going to be easily defeated. To create gaps in the shield wall, groups of . . . — — Map (db m128790) HM
The Afternoon Assaults: Norman Trick Tactics
During the afternoon the Normans weaken the English line by adopting a new tactic.
It is now clear that the English are not going to be easily defeated. To create gaps in the shield wall, groups of . . . — — Map (db m129380) HM
The Battle of Hastings and Battle Abbey
The Battle of Hastings was fought here on 14 October 1066. It is the most famous battle on English soil and its outcome had a profound impact on the history of England.
William the Conqueror's . . . — — Map (db m128713) HM
The Chapter House
The chapter house was second only to the church as the focal point of monastic life.
Monks assembled here each morning to hear readings, including a chapter of the Rule of St Benedict, hence the room's name. Business matters . . . — — Map (db m129345) HM
The Cloister
The main abbey buildings were arranged round a cloister on the south side of the church.
Sheltered from cold north winds they would catch the sun. The cloister walks or alleys, marked out by the gravel paths, enclosed a garden and . . . — — Map (db m129341) HM
The Dormitory
This huge room was the dormitory, or dorter, where the monks slept. It dates to the 13th century and was originally a single open space without any heating. Monks slept communally and their single beds were arranged in rows along the . . . — — Map (db m129365) HM
The Duchess of Cleveland’s Walled Garden
The walled garden is planted today with fruit trees, recreating the work of the Duchess of Cleveland.
The Duke and Duchess, who bought Battle Abbey in the mid 19th century, were keen gardeners. The . . . — — Map (db m128799) HM
The East Range
These buildings contained the dormitory and the monastic latrines.
The first floor of the east range in front of you was a single large dormitory or dorter where originally the abbot and all the monks slept. To the left of it, . . . — — Map (db m128797) HM
The First Norman Attack
The battle opens to the terrible sound of trumpets on both sides.
William's men advance up the hill to attack the English shield wall. They are led by lightly armed foot soldiers and archers. Behind them are ranks of . . . — — Map (db m128718) HM
The First Norman Attack
The battle opens to the terrible sound of trumpets on both sides.
William's men advance up the hill to attack the English shield wall. They are led by lightly armed foot soldiers and archers. Behind them are ranks of . . . — — Map (db m128723) HM
The Great Gatehouse
The imposing size and elaborate decoration of the great gatehouse reflected the power and importance of Battle Abbey.
This was the main entrance for visitors, as well as for merchants, traders and abbey staff bringing . . . — — Map (db m128716) HM
The Traditional Site of
The High Altar of Battle Abbey
Founded to Commemorate
The Victory of Duke William
On 11 October 1066
The High Altar Was Placed to Mark
The Spot Where King Harold Died — — Map (db m129337) HM
The Norman Counter-Attack
After rallying his forces, William counter-attacks the English.
Encouraged by Duke William, the Normans turn and attack the English who have pursued them down the hill. Those who have been separated from the safety of . . . — — Map (db m128788) HM
The Norman Retreat
After ferocious fighting the first Norman attack falters and breaks.
The left wing of Duke William's army, including a group of knights from Brittany, is driven back by the English. At the same time rumour spreads that Duke . . . — — Map (db m128724) HM
The Outer Court
You are standing in what was the outer court of the abbey, where its agricultural and industrial building were located. These would have included workshops, forges, barns, stables and storerooms. Many of the inhabitants of Battle . . . — — Map (db m128717) HM
The Refectory
The monastic refectory or dining hall occupied the south range of the cloister.
The main meal was eaten in the middle of the day. Monks entered the dining hall after washing their hands in a lavatorium or wash-basin just by the . . . — — Map (db m129364) HM
The Weakened Shield Wall
Duke William brings forward archers in preparation for a final Norman assault on the English line.
By late afternoon the feigned Norman retreats have thinned the ranks of Harold's shield-wall. Duke William's bowmen are . . . — — Map (db m128791) HM
William rallies his Forces
Duke William shows his face in battle to prevent the Norman army fleeing from the field.
As the Normans retreat in confusion from the English line, Duke William rides out to confront them. Lifting his helmet to show . . . — — Map (db m128725) HM
William the Conqueror Trail
William,7th Duke of Normandy (1027-1087), set his stamp on the history of the Duchy of Normandy and of the Kingdom of England, their destinies becoming closely entwined for more than a century. The symbolic date 1066 . . . — — Map (db m128709) HM
