25 October 2010
As far as conquests in Europe are concerned, the Battle of Hastings is the unanimous choice among historians when considering which battles have the most significant impact on the conquered. The Battle of Hastings completely changes the culture, the government and even the names of the English. After a few generations, Anglo-Saxon names were a rarity and French names such as William, Richard and Robert became popular.
An audio tour is provided and it gives a relatively good immersive experience while you walk around the fields trying to paint a picture of a battle that happened almost a thousand years ago on the 14th October 1066 when two every different army fought for their lives. King Harold led his Anglo-Saxon army who had marched from York while William the Conqueror and his armies sailed across the English Channel from Normandy in a bid to claim the throne of England. Before the day had ended, William emerged victorious and Harold fell, most probably shot by an arrow in the eye as depicted in the famous Bayeux Tapestry.
As penance for slaughtering thousands on that day and also more importantly as a sign of Norman victory, William the Conqueror ordered Battle Abbey to be built in 1070. The Abbey is a Benedictine monastery which had flourished until the reign of Henry VIII, who ordered all monasteries to be dissolved. Part of the ruins still stand and visitors can wander freely in the monk’s dormitory range and listen to the audio tour for an idea on how the monks led their lives.
Globe Nomads review ratings: 3.5
Even though there are no visible traces of the battle left today and all you see is just a plain field, I would still recommend visiting this attraction. For all the places in this country, this place has to be one of the most historically significant and it would be a pity to miss it. In addition, this attraction is a good learning opportunity for everyone in the family.
(please refer to ratings explanation)
Visitor Information:
English Heritage Property
Admission: adult £7, child £3.50, Family £17.50, Concession £6, EH members free
Pay car park, member £1, others £3.50.
Visit English Heritage website for latest updates.
View Globe Nomads Travel Blog in a larger map
Abbey Gatehouse, rebuilt in 1338
Battlefield, English situated at the top of the slope, Normans at the bottom
Remains of the Battle Abbey
Remains of the lower chambers in the Dormitory Range with a well preserved rib-vaulted ceiling.
Original stone head carving in the Abbey
Remains of the upper chamber of the Dormitory
Remains of the crypt that extends from the Abbey
Ice chamber probably built in 1818 when the abbey is used as a country estate.
A closer look at the design of the ice chamber. Ice was also insulated between layers of straw and twig.
The High Altar of the abbey marked the spot King Harold fell.
1066 Battle of Hastings, Abbey and Battlefield – Savoring a Moment in History
25 October 2010
As far as conquests in Europe are concerned, the Battle of Hastings is the unanimous choice among historians when considering which battles have the most significant impact on the conquered. The Battle of Hastings completely changes the culture, the government and even the names of the English. After a few generations, Anglo-Saxon names were a rarity and French names such as William, Richard and Robert became popular.
An audio tour is provided and it gives a relatively good immersive experience while you walk around the fields trying to paint a picture of a battle that happened almost a thousand years ago on the 14th October 1066 when two every different army fought for their lives. King Harold led his Anglo-Saxon army who had marched from York while William the Conqueror and his armies sailed across the English Channel from Normandy in a bid to claim the throne of England. Before the day had ended, William emerged victorious and Harold fell, most probably shot by an arrow in the eye as depicted in the famous Bayeux Tapestry.
As penance for slaughtering thousands on that day and also more importantly as a sign of Norman victory, William the Conqueror ordered Battle Abbey to be built in 1070. The Abbey is a Benedictine monastery which had flourished until the reign of Henry VIII, who ordered all monasteries to be dissolved. Part of the ruins still stand and visitors can wander freely in the monk’s dormitory range and listen to the audio tour for an idea on how the monks led their lives.
Globe Nomads review ratings: 3.5
Even though there are no visible traces of the battle left today and all you see is just a plain field, I would still recommend visiting this attraction. For all the places in this country, this place has to be one of the most historically significant and it would be a pity to miss it. In addition, this attraction is a good learning opportunity for everyone in the family.
(please refer to ratings explanation)
Visitor Information:
English Heritage Property
Admission: adult £7, child £3.50, Family £17.50, Concession £6, EH members free
Pay car park, member £1, others £3.50.
Visit English Heritage website for latest updates.
View Globe Nomads Travel Blog in a larger map
Abbey Gatehouse, rebuilt in 1338
Battlefield, English situated at the top of the slope, Normans at the bottom
Remains of the Battle Abbey
Remains of the lower chambers in the Dormitory Range with a well preserved rib-vaulted ceiling.
Original stone head carving in the Abbey
Remains of the upper chamber of the Dormitory
Remains of the crypt that extends from the Abbey
Ice chamber probably built in 1818 when the abbey is used as a country estate.
A closer look at the design of the ice chamber. Ice was also insulated between layers of straw and twig.
The High Altar of the abbey marked the spot King Harold fell.