BATTLE OF HASTINGS: OVERVIEW
This web site is undergoing development.
The Battle of Hastings: Historical Overview
The Battle of Hastings, fought in October 1066, marked a decisive moment in English history. It followed the death of King Edward the Confessor and the subsequent struggle for the English crown between Harold Godwinson, Earl of Wessex, and William, Duke of Normandy.
According to the traditional account, William landed on the Sussex coast, advanced inland, and engaged Harold’s army near the site of present‑day Battle, where Battle Abbey was later founded. Harold was killed during the fighting, and William’s victory led to the Norman Conquest of England.
This interpretation has formed the basis of historical scholarship for centuries and remains the prevailing view.
Traditional Interpretation
The conventional narrative draws primarily on medieval chronicles such as the Anglo‑Saxon Chronicle, William of Poitiers, William of Jumièges, and later Norman and English sources. These accounts describe:
- A Norman landing on the Sussex coast
- Harold’s rapid march south after the Battle of Stamford Bridge
- A pitched battle fought on a ridge near modern Battle
- The death of Harold during the fighting
- William’s subsequent coronation as King of England
Battle Abbey was founded by William shortly after the conquest, traditionally interpreted as marking the site of Harold’s death and the centre of the battlefield.
Questions Raised by Early Sources
Despite the long‑standing acceptance of this narrative, early manuscript sources contain geographical and topographical descriptions that are not always easily reconciled with the Battle Abbey location.
These include references to:
- Valleys, slopes, and watercourses
- Movement constraints and approach routes
- Defensive positioning
- Burial locations
Such details have often been treated as symbolic, vague, or secondary. However, when examined comparatively and alongside physical terrain, they raise questions about whether the traditional site fully reflects the descriptions found in the earliest accounts.
Scope of This Research
This website presents research that re‑examines the Battle of Hastings through:
- A comparative study of thirteen early manuscripts
- Philological analysis of geographical terminology
- Topographical correlation with the Sussex landscape
- On‑site fieldwork
The research proposes that the Norman landing and battlefield may have been located in the Crowhurst Valley rather than at Battle Abbey. The aim is not to dismiss established scholarship, but to assess whether the earliest sources support an alternative interpretation when analysed systematically and transparently.
How to Read This Site
Readers are encouraged to explore the evidence directly:
- Primary Sources
- Research Methodology
- Manuscript Evidence
- Landing Site Analysis
- Battlefield Topography
This project welcomes scholarly review and debate. All sources, assumptions, and limitations are documented so that interpretations can be evaluated independently.
Relationship to Published Research
The findings presented here are based on the research published in:
- Secrets of the Norman Invasion: One (364 pages)
- Secrets of the Norman Invasion: Two (360 pages)
These volumes contain extended manuscript analysis, maps, and commentary. This website provides a structured and accessible presentation of the core evidence.
Further details are available through The Books pages