It is a long way to… Hastings 1066

After the defeat of Harald Hardrada at the battle of Stamford Bridge, Yorkshire, in September 1066, whilst resting in York, King Harold Godwinson of England received word that the Normans under William of Normandy had landed on the south coast of England near Hastings. Godwinson mustered his troops and marched them down the length of England and did battle with William at Senlac Hill at what is now the site of the Abby at Battle, East Sussex. This battle became known as the Battle of Hastings.

Members of 'The Vikings', Britain's largest 'Dark Age' re-enactment society will take on the mantle of the Saxon army and repeat their successful marches of 1995 and 2000 from York to Battle, collecting for the charity British Heart Foundation on route. Over night accommodation has been being provided by the Scouts.

Starting from the Minster, York, at 09.30 on Monday 25/09/2006 and travelling via Nottingham,
Leicester, St. Albans, London and Sevenoaks (full route and schedule available on http://www.vikingsonline.org.uk) we will arrive at Battle on the afternoon of Friday 13/10/2006.

Once there, on the English Heritage site of Battle Abbey on Senlac Hill, (the actual site of the original battle), we will re-enact the Battle of Hastings on Saturday 14/10/2006 & Sunday 15/10/2006. This year will be the largest re-enactment of this historic occasion ever performed with re-enactors from all over the UK & Ireland, Europe, Scandinavia, Russia, America and even Australia. We are expecting some 2000 re-enactors on the battlefield and a full compliment of living history.

This event is being promoted & organised by English Heritage and The Vikings re-enactment society, http://www.vikingsonline.org.uk.