Bringing history to life

A couple of years ago, we spent a muddy Saturday watching the 1066 reenactment. The site was so muddy that only one of the six who went failed to fall over. No, I wasn't the one standing. Despite this and the fact that the Saxons and Normans have nothing to do with our current history, there were pleas to go again. Delight-directed learning-can't turn this down! So we went to the annual reenactment of the Battle of Hastings which is held by English Heritage on the weekend closest to the date of the Battle (14th October 1066- 948 years ago today!)

The mud was not so deep and we were better prepared so this year, the score was only one fall out of seven.

The Saxons preparing to fight.

The Norman cavalry. The Saxons didn't use horses.

Norman arrows

The Norman archers

Ultimately, the Saxons lost as their line of shields broke rank when the Normans feigned retreat.
The last stand of the Saxon standard-the white man on a red background.

The Abbey said to have been built by William the Conqueror as penance for the blood shed. It is said that the altar was over the spot where Harold was killed. 

Interestingly, there is some suggestion that this place, Senlac Hill in Battle, isn't the actual site of the Battle. Still, reenactments are a fascinating way of understanding a little more about what happened. There was strong support for the Saxons so we would have had to disappear rapidly if this had been the actual battle.

If you enjoyed this post you may like to follow Delivering Grace by Google Friend Connect, G+,Facebook, Pinterest or e-mail.