Battle of Hastings 1066AD - W - The Battlefield Location

The answer most people know — on the ridge where Battle Abbey now stands — rests almost entirely on the word of the monks who built the Abbey and had every reason to place the battlefield directly beneath their foundations. The physical evidence tells a different story: after more than a century of searching, only one artifact has been found anywhere in the area that might date to the battle, and its provenance is unknown.

This page takes a systematic approach to the question. Rather than starting from the Abbey and working backwards, it assembles every landscape clue from across all the major chronicles — 21 features in total, from the height and width of the hill to the distance from Hastings, the presence of a forest, a fosse, a steep slope, a ridge behind the Normans, and a bridge that collapsed during the retreat — and asks which of the twelve proposed alternative sites satisfies the most of them. The result is a genuinely open analysis of one of the most contested questions in English history, with a map showing how march distances from the Norman coastal base constrain the possible locations to a surprisingly specific corridor.

• 1. The Hoar Apple Tree
  • A site proposed by Rebecca Welshman and Simon Coleman on their website,
    the Battle of Hastings at Heathfield.
     
• 2. Netherfield
  • This is suggested by Simon Mansfield and is based on the landscape around the junction of the Battle Road(B2096) and the Netherfield road at Darvel Down.
     
• 3. Creep Wood
  • This one is based on a book by Kathleen Richardson - 'The Mystery of Town Creep', and is predicated on the fact that Town Creep is claimed to be an old Roman fort. .
     
• 4. Normanhurst
  • This location has no one person suggesting it, but is based on the locally held legend that Standard Hill at Ninfield was where William had his flag, and this is the next ridge in the area .
     
• 5. Ashes Wood
  • This location is suggested by Kevin Casey in his blog.
     
• 6. Beech Farm Hill
  • This location was originally suggested by Simon Coleman but he has now rejected this site and '1. The Hoar Apple Tree' location has superceeded this site .
     
• 7. Caldbec Hill
  • This location was suggested in ‘The Uncomfortable Truth’ a book by John Grehan & Martin Mace.
     
• 8. Battle Abbey
  • The official 'English Heritage' Battle of Hastings site at Battle Abbey.
  
  
• 9. Crowhurst
  • This is the Nick Austin suggestion from the 'Secrets of the Norman Invasion' book, that the Battle was between modern Telham and Wilting near Crowhurst, this is also on the web at http://www.secretsofthenormaninvasion.com/.
   
• 10. Whatlington
  • This location is proposed by Fred Waghorn, but to be fair it is a location for the last battle of the Saxons at the Malfosse which is near a proposed hillfort at the White Chapel in Whatlington, this was published in a set of maps in 2010 but used to be online at https://1066history.co.uk/home-page.
    
    His concept was that the Saxons were all killed on Caldbec Hill by being surrounded by three Norman Armies, one from Hastings, one from Mountfield and one from the Netherfield ridgeway. Anyone not killed then retreats to Whatlington where the final battle was.
     
• 11. Sedlescombe
  • This is location was proposed by Momentus Britain on their website https://www.momentousbritain.co.uk/ and derives from Kathleen Tysons translation of the ‘Carmen de Hastingae Proelio’ and suggestions made in it. The website for the 'Battle of Hastings' is now on a separate website.
    
    
• 12. Blackhorse Hill
  • This is location was proposed by John Barnby in his book '1066: The Lost Hastings Battlefield'
    The Advertising says 'Carefully examines historic accounts and analyses the terrain and topography of the land. Makes use of satellite imagery not previously available. Fully illustrated with maps, 3D models and photographs to present a compelling case.'
    

•    BT (Bayeux Tapestry)
•    BC (Chronicles of Battle Abbey)
•    MW (Master Wace)
•    CAR (The Carmen of Guy d'Amiens)
•    FW (Florence of Worcester)
•    HH (Henry of Huntingdon)
•    OV (Orderic Vitalis)

The Carmen of Guy d'Amiens
"The king ascended the summit that he might wage war in the midst of his army."

This passage indicates that Harold actively climbed to the top of a hill to take his position for battle. The use of "ascended" suggests deliberate movement upward to gain the tactical advantage of height. By positioning himself "at the summit," Harold could oversee his entire army and command from the high ground. This was standard tactical practice in medieval warfare - the defensive force would seek elevated terrain to negate the advantage of cavalry and make infantry charges more difficult.

The Carmen's description also implies that Harold chose this position after surveying the terrain, rather than simply being found there by William's forces. This suggests tactical forethought in selecting the battlefield location.

Henry of Huntingdon
"The king [Harold] hastened southwards to oppose him, and drew up his army on level ground in that neighbourhood."

This description appears to contradict other chronicles which place the Saxon army on a hill. However, "level ground" in this context may refer to the flat top or plateau of a hill rather than low-lying terrain. Many of the proposed battlefield sites feature hills with relatively flat summits where an army could form up in ranks.

Alternatively, Henry of Huntingdon (writing in the 1120s-1130s, some 60+ years after the battle) may have received information emphasizing that the Saxon position, while elevated, provided a level fighting surface suitable for forming the shield wall. The apparent contradiction with other sources may reflect different aspects of the same topography - a hill with a level top or a ridge.

It's also worth noting that Henry of Huntingdon was not an eyewitness and was writing from Huntingdonshire, far from the battlefield. His account may reflect garbled or simplified geographical information.

The Carmen of Guy d'Amiens
"Nearby was a wooded hill, neighbouring the valley. Its terrain was rugged and uncultivated"

The Bayeux Tapestry

The description of "rugged and uncultivated" terrain is significant for several reasons. First, it suggests the battlefield was not on agricultural land but rather on rough pasture, heath, or partially wooded ground - consistent with the edge of the great forest of Andredsweald. Second, "rugged" implies uneven, difficult ground that would further disadvantage Norman cavalry attempting to charge uphill.

This uncultivated character would explain the lack of archaeological evidence - if the land was rough pasture in 1066, it may have remained uncultivated and been subject to minimal plowing, which would have disturbed and scattered any battle debris. Conversely, the current site at Battle Abbey sits on land that was clearly valuable enough to build a major abbey, suggesting it may have been more cultivated than the Carmen's description implies.

Master Wace - The Roman de Rou
"One flies, another pursues swiftly: the combatants are many, the plain wide, the battle and the melee fierce."

Wace's description of "the plain wide" indicates that the battlefield was not confined to a narrow ridge or restricted space, but rather had sufficient breadth to accommodate large-scale maneuvers. This is significant because:

• Both armies numbered in the thousands (estimates range from 7,000-15,000 per side)
• The Norman cavalry needed space to deploy and maneuver in squadron formations
• The Saxon shield wall was formed across a broad front
• Pursuit and flight, as described, required open ground

This contradicts the idea of the battle being fought on a narrow ridge or confined hilltop. Any proposed battlefield site must include sufficient width to accommodate two large armies in formation with room for cavalry maneuver. The use of "plain" (even if elevated) suggests relatively open terrain rather than heavily broken or wooded ground, though this may somewhat contradict the "rugged" description from the Carmen.

Florence of Worcester
"he gave them battle at a place nine miles from Hastings"

This is one of the most specific geographical measurements provided in any chronicle. Florence of Worcester, writing around 1118 (approximately 52 years after the battle), states clearly that the battlefield was nine miles from Hastings.

However, several questions arise:

• Nine miles from where in Hastings? The town center, the castle, the port, the Norman camp?
• Was this nine miles by road or as the crow flies?
• How accurate were distance measurements in the 11th/12th century?
• Did Florence have direct knowledge or was he relying on earlier sources?

The traditional Battle Abbey site is approximately 6-7 miles from Hastings town center, which has led some researchers to propose alternative sites further north that better fit the nine-mile measurement. However, if measured from the Norman coastal camp (possibly at Bulverhythe, Bexhill, or Pevensey), the distances change considerably.

Medieval miles were not standardized and could vary from approximately 1.1 to 1.5 modern statute miles, adding further uncertainty. Nevertheless, this measurement remains an important constraint on proposed battlefield locations.

The Carmen of Guy d'Amiens
"He gathered the torn-apart body of Harold,
Gathered, he covered it with purple linen,
and carried it with him, returning to his coastal camp.
The sea is behind, back by sea is the way to return"

Kathleen Tyson's translation
"And returned with it to his camp by the shore,"

The Carmen makes clear that William's base camp remained at the coast throughout the battle. After Harold's death, William returned to this "coastal camp" or "camp by the shore" with the king's body. The phrase "the sea is behind, back by sea is the way to return" indicates that the Norman army had the sea at their backs during the battle - their line of retreat and their ships were behind them to the south.

This has several important implications:

• The Norman army marched inland from their coastal base to meet Harold
• William's supply line ran from the coast to the battlefield
• The battlefield must be positioned such that the Norman forces had their backs to the sea (south)
• The distance from coast to battlefield was within one day's march (see section 10)

The location of this coastal camp is debated - candidates include Hastings, Bulverhythe, Bexhill, or the original landing site at Pevensey. William had built fortifications at both Pevensey and Hastings, and the Carmen's reference may indicate which served as the main operational base during the battle.

The Battle Abbey Chronicles name the hill where William positioned himself as "Hecheland" or "Hechelande." This place name has been the subject of considerable research and debate. The name appears to be Old English or Anglo-Norman in origin, but its precise meaning is uncertain.

Possible interpretations of "Hecheland" include:

• "Hæcc-land" - land with a gate or hatch
• "heáge-land" - high land
• "Hecche-land" - land with a hedge or fence
• "hécen-land" - goat land

Significantly, the chronicle states this hill was "situated in the direction of Hastings" - implying it was between the Norman coastal base (at or near Hastings) and the English position. This suggests Hecheland was on the Norman approach route to the battlefield.

No modern place name clearly derives from "Hecheland," which has led researchers to search for locations that fit the topographical description: a hill on the route from Hastings to the battlefield, suitable for William to halt and observe the English position before engaging.

For detailed analysis of possible Hecheland locations, see our dedicated page: Hecheland - where is it?

Master Wace - The Roman de Rou
"Meanwhile the Normans appeared, advancing over the ridge of a rising ground"

This suggests that the Norman army approached the Saxon position by coming over a ridge or crest of higher ground. This would mean William's forces were not simply advancing across flat terrain, but had to cross elevated ground before engaging with Harold's army. This topographical feature would have been visible to observers and would have affected the tactical deployment of both armies.

Master Wace - The Roman de Rou
"The youths and common herd of the camp, whose business was not to join in the battle, but to take care of the harness and stores, moved off towards a rising ground. The priests and the clerks also ascended a hill"

This indicates that behind the Norman battle lines, there was elevated ground where non-combatants (camp followers, priests, and clerks) gathered to observe the battle. This hill would have been to the rear of William's position, providing a safe vantage point for those not directly engaged in fighting. Any proposed battlefield site should include such a feature behind the Norman lines.

Master Wace - The Roman de Rou
"and they had moreover made a fosse, which went across the field"
"There he said he would defend himself against whoever should seek him; and he had the place well examined, and surrounded it by a good fosse, leaving an entrance on each of three sides, which were ordered to be all well guarded"

Henry of Huntingdon
"In their flight they happened unawares on a deep trench, which was treacherously covered, into which numbers fell and perished"

Florence of Worcester
"He gave them battle at a place nine miles from Hastings, where they had built a fort. The English being crowded in a confined position"

Multiple chronicles reference fortifications, ditches, or fosses. Master Wace describes Harold having the position "surrounded by a good fosse" with three guarded entrances. Henry of Huntingdon mentions a "deep trench, which was treacherously covered" that caused Norman casualties during pursuit. Florence references the English having "built a fort" at the location. This suggests the Saxon position included defensive earthworks, either pre-existing or hastily constructed. For more details on this feature, see our Evidence for the Malfosse page.

The Carmen of Guy d'Amiens
"The Duke below fearing mastery from the height checks the advancing column. And boldly approaches the steep slope. They gather in tight formation to charge the slope for slaughter"

The Carmen explicitly describes William's forces having to charge uphill to reach the Saxon position. The duke is described as being "below" the English position, and the Normans must "charge the slope" to engage the enemy. This indicates significant elevation change between the two armies' positions, with the gradient steep enough to be tactically significant. The Norman cavalry would have been at a considerable disadvantage charging uphill against a defensive shield wall.

Master Wace - The Roman de Rou
"The English fell back upon a rising ground, and the Normans followed them across the valley"

This passage describes the English retreat during the later stages of the battle. The fleeing Saxons withdrew to "a rising ground" behind their original position, with the pursuing Normans following them "across the valley." This suggests that behind Harold's main battle line, there was lower ground (a valley) and then another hill or elevated area to which the routed English retreated. This is separate from the main hill where Harold's standard stood and relates to the geography of the Saxon retreat route.

The Carmen of Guy d'Amiens
"The sea is behind, back by sea is the way to return"
"And so carried with him, returned to his seaside camp.
Swearing it better Harold was buried promptly on the coast of the port under a heap of stones.
Therefore just as he had vowed high on a cliff.
He ordered the body entombed on the ground at the summit.
That he may remain sentry over sea and strand"

The Carmen makes clear that the Norman army had the sea at their backs - their line of retreat and their camp were both coastal. After the battle, William returned "to his seaside camp" and initially wanted Harold buried "on the coast of the port under a heap of stones" so he would "remain sentry over sea and strand." This indicates the battlefield was positioned such that the Norman forces were between the coast and the English position, with their supply base and ships behind them to the south.

Master Wace - The Roman de Rou
"The press was great to cross the bridge, and the river beneath it was deep; so that the bridge broke under the throng, and many fell into the water"

During the English retreat, Wace describes fleeing Saxons attempting to cross a bridge over a deep river. The bridge collapsed under the weight and press of the panicking men, causing many to fall into the water and drown. This indicates that the Saxon line of retreat led toward a river crossing, and that this river was substantial enough to require a bridge and deep enough to be dangerous to men in armor. This is a separate incident from the Malfosse and relates to the geography of the English escape route. For more details see our page on The Bridge that Collapsed During the Retreat.

1. The Haran Apuldran (Hoar Apple tree ?? ) (ASC)
2. The Saxons were near a forest (CAR)
3. Harold ascended a hill (CAR)
4. The Saxons were on a hill (CAR,BAC,MW,BT,)
5. The Saxons were on a level ground (MW)
6. The Saxons fortify their position (OV,MW,HH,FW,BA,BT)
7. The terrain was rugged and uncultivated (BT,CAR)
8. The area was called Senlac (OV)
9. The Battlefield was quite wide and not restricted (MW)
10. The Battle was 9 miles from Hastings (FW)
11. The Norman camp was at the seaside (CAR,FW)
12. The Battle raged from the 3rd Hour (FW,OV)
13. William was initially on a hill (BAC,MW)
14. The hill William was on was called Hecheland (BAC)
15. The Normans advanced over a ridge (MW)
16. Behind the Normans was another hill (MW)
17. There was fosse between the forces (MW,HH,FW)
18. There was a steep slope up to the Saxons (CAR)
19. Behind the Saxons was another hill (MW)
20. The sea was behind the Normans (CAR,MW)
21. Fleeing Saxons were killed when a bridge collapsed (MW)