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| The site of the Battle of Hastings |
We are having some building done at home and have rather restricted kitchen facilities at present.
This has meant that we have been keener than usual to spend some time away and last week we rented a cottage near Lewes in Sussex. In addition to being able to feed ourselves, we were able to take in some cultural activities and also to go for some very good walks so all members of the family were satisfied.
On Tuesday we visited Battle Abbey and were able to walk round the site of the Battle of Hastings (which as most people know is some miles inland inland from the seaside town). The audio guides provided really brought the site to life, offering some very realistic shouts, groans and the clanging of swords etc. The site is owned by English Heritage, who, unlike the National Trust in the area, is very dog friendly. This meant that Rendle was also able to walk the battlefield.
William took on Harold on a rather disadvantageous site. He had to fight for the kingdom up a very steep hill, an impression of which can be gleaned from the picture above. In the end however a wily Norman trick meant that William won the day, proving yet again I suppose that using one’s brain can compensate for all sorts of disadvantage as long as one seizes the opportunity.
It was interesting to speculate what would have happened if William had not turned out to be ‘The Conqueror’. One thing is certain, our language would have been less rich and strange without the Norman French/Anglo Saxon fusion that resulted.
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| Rendle with the Seven Sisters in the background |
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