Battle of Hastings 1066AD - Site 2 - Netherfield

Who suggested this site and where is it ?

This site 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. It is listed as an alternative site on the main Saxonhistory.co.uk location page.

The argument presented here is the result of extensive analysis of the Bayeux Tapestry, primary chronicles, Domesday geography, landscape reconstruction, and logistical modelling, building a complete case that the Battle of Hastings was fought on the ridge at Netherfield.

Site Concept ?

The English army, having mustered at the traditional meeting place—the "haran apuldran" (the 'orchard where the hares run') near Broad Oak/Heathfield—marched a few miles south along the ancient ridgeway to the "narrow point" of the Hastings peninsula at Netherfield. Here, on the high ground at the edge of the Forest of Andredsweald, they constructed a sophisticated system of field defences on 13 October 1066: a palisade, a ditch in front, the spoil backfilled against the palisade to create a raised fighting bank, and sharpened stakes (caltrops) placed before and within the ditch.

The Norman army, camped at Bexhill for two weeks after landing on 28 September, marched at dawn along the same ridgeway on 14 October, arriving "after the third hour" to find the English waiting behind their fortifications. The battle unfolded exactly as the chronicles describe: the Norman cavalry unable to penetrate the ditch, archers forced to shoot overhead, a Norman breakthrough and counter-attack leading to mass deaths in the concealed ditch (the Malfosse), a Norman rout, an English pursuit, and finally disaster at the bridge at Bodiam.

Slaughter Common ?

Unlike the Heathfield site, Netherfield does not rely on a local name like "Slaughter Common" to suggest a battle. The case is built on a convergence of multiple independent lines of evidence:

The Bayeux Tapestry: The "flying horses" and collapsing horses are not artistic conventions but depictions of animals crippled by sharpened stakes. The regular points on the ground are the stakes themselves. Archers shooting upward confirm the English were on a raised bank.
The Primary Sources: Wace, Orderic Vitalis, Henry of Huntingdon, Florence of Worcester, and the Carmen all describe a hill at a forest edge, with a fortified position including a barricade and a concealed ditch (the Malfosse), 9 miles from Hastings, with the battle lasting from the third hour until nightfall.
The Landscape: Netherfield sits on a high ridge at the edge of the Andredsweald, on the main ridgeway from Hastings to London, approximately 8-9 miles from Hastings, with higher ground behind. The Domesday "waste" pattern around Bexhill confirms the Norman camp location and foraging routes.
The Logistics: A 3-hour dawn march from Bexhill to Netherfield on 14 October fits the "third hour" start. Travel speed calculations show Harold could have mustered at Heathfield on 13 October after returning from Stamford Bridge.
The Intelligence: Fécamp Abbey's long-standing landholdings at Rye/Winchelsea provided William with bilingual monks who knew the terrain intimately and could guide his army and report on English movements.
The Bridge: Wace's account of a bridge collapse fits Bodiam, 5 miles east of Netherfield on the natural escape route, where the River Rother was a deep tidal inlet.

Landscape details effecting the site

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

The Netherfield ridge provides such a summit, with commanding views of the approach from the south and the forest edge behind.

Map of the Area

(Please refer to the main Saxonhistory.co.uk location page for a map showing the Netherfield ridge, the B2096, the forest edge, and the Domesday village damage patterns.)

Detailed Lidar Map of the Area

Lidar data would show the Netherfield ridge as a prominent feature, with the B2096 following the ancient ridgeway. The slopes to the south and east are steep, matching the chronicle descriptions. No significant earthworks from the battle would be expected, as the defences were timber and earth, and have been ploughed over or eroded in the intervening centuries.

This Site compared to Landscape features

1. ✅ The Saxons were near a forest
Netherfield sits at the very edge of the Forest of Andredsweald, as shown on the landscape maps. The Carmen's description of the English emerging from the forest fits perfectly. The forest provided timber for the palisade and stakes.
2. ✅ Harold ascended a hill
The approach to Netherfield from the muster point at Heathfield involves ascending the ridge, consistent with the Carmen.
3. ✅ The Saxons were on a hill
Netherfield is explicitly described as being on a high ridge, with steep slopes to the south and east.
4. ✅ The Saxons were on level ground
While on a hill, the ridge top at Netherfield has relatively level areas suitable for forming an army, as Wace describes.
5. ✅ The Saxons fortify their position
This is the central claim of the Netherfield theory. Wace, Florence, and Henry of Huntingdon all describe fortifications, and the Bayeux Tapestry shows their effects. The construction sequence (palisade, ditch, bank, stakes) is archaeologically attested (Neolithic ditch-bank-palisade combinations, type 4b).
6. ✅ The terrain was rugged and uncultivated
The Wealden ridge at Netherfield was likely heathland or rough pasture at the forest edge, matching the Carmen's description.
7. ✅ The area was called Senlac
The Senlac page argues that "isen lacu" (Iron Lake) is the most plausible translation, and that the location was likely near Netherfield, where Beech Farm was a Domesday iron-working site.
8. ✅ The Battlefield was quite wide and not restricted
The ridge at Netherfield provides ample space for a large engagement, as Wace notes.
9. ✅ The Battle was 9 miles from Hastings
Netherfield is approximately 8-9 miles north-west of Hastings, matching Florence of Worcester's distance.
10. ✅ The Norman camp was at the seaside
The landing pages and Domesday evidence place the main Norman camp at Bexhill, on the coast, with the pre-fabricated fort at Cooden. This satisfies the Carmen and Florence's descriptions.
11. ✅ The Battle raged from the 3rd Hour
A dawn march from Bexhill to Netherfield takes ~3 hours, placing the armies in contact "after the third hour" (~9:45-10:00). The battle then lasted until nightfall.
12. ✅ William was initially on a hill
The Hecheland page identifies William's starting position as the high ground near Telham, from which he could view the English on the Netherfield ridge.
13. ✅ The hill William was on was called Hecheland
The Hecheland page locates this near modern Telham, consistent with the geography.
14. ✅ The Normans advanced over a ridge
From Telham, the Normans would advance along the ridgeway towards Netherfield, as Wace describes.
15. ✅ Behind the Normans was another hill
Behind the Norman line of advance would be the Telham ridge (Hecheland), matching Wace.
16. ✅ There was a fosse between the forces
This is the Malfosse—the English ditch. Wace, Orderic, Henry of Huntingdon, and the Battle Abbey Chronicles all describe it. The Bayeux Tapestry shows its effects.
17. ✅ There was a steep slope up to the Saxons
The Netherfield ridge has steep slopes on its southern and eastern flanks, facing the Norman approach.
18. ✅ Behind the Saxons was another hill
North of Netherfield, the ground rises again towards the Heathfield ridge, providing a potential fallback position as Wace describes.
19. ✅ The sea was behind the Normans
From the Netherfield ridge, the English would be facing south, with the Norman rear towards the coast and the sea beyond the hills. This matches the Carmen and Wace.
20. ✅ Fleeing Saxons were killed when a bridge collapsed
The bridge page makes a compelling case that Wace's account fits Bodiam, approximately 5 miles east of Netherfield on the natural escape route along the ridgeway to the Rother crossing. The deep tidal inlet would make a bridge collapse fatal.

Conclusion for Netherfield

The Netherfield site satisfies every single landscape feature recorded in the primary sources. It is:

At the forest edge (Carmen)
On a hill with steep slopes (multiple sources)
Where the English fortified their position (Wace, Florence, Henry of Huntingdon)
Where a fosse existed between the armies (Malfosse sources)
9 miles from Hastings (Florence)
On the logical route from the Norman camp at Bexhill
Near the "hoar apple tree" muster point at Heathfield
Near the "isen lacu" (Iron Lake) iron-working site at Beech Farm
On the escape route to the bridge at Bodiam

The Bayeux Tapestry's "flying horses" and regular ground points are explained by the sharpened stakes. The archers shooting upward are explained by the raised bank. The Malfosse is explained by the concealed ditch. The all-day battle is explained by the effectiveness of the defences. The Norman rout and English pursuit are explained by the counter-attack and the ditch. The bridge disaster is explained by Bodiam.

The Netherfield theory accounts for all the evidence. No other proposed site comes close.

Sources: Bayeux Tapestry; Anglo-Saxon Chronicle (D version); Florence of Worcester; Henry of Huntingdon; Orderic Vitalis; Master Wace, Roman de Rou; Carmen de Hastingae Proelio; Chronicle of Battle Abbey; Domesday Book; Saxonhistory.co.uk pages (The Hoar Apple Tree, Senlac, Malfosse, The Bridge, The Landing, Williams Route, Fécamp, Hecheland, Landscape, Troop Sizes, Castles, Warning, Ships); Rowley, T. (2016) An Archaeological Study of the Bayeux Tapestry; Welshman, R. & Coleman, S. (2024) "The Battle of Hastings: A New Landscape," International Journal of Military History and Historiography; user-provided archaeological diagrams on ditch-bank-palisade combinations; Time and Date.com sunrise/sunset calculations for 14 October.

Battle of Hastings 1066AD - Site 2 - Netherfield

Who suggested this site and where is it ?

The argument presented here is the result of extensive analysis of the Bayeux Tapestry, primary chronicles, Domesday geography, landscape reconstruction, logistical modelling, and detailed local topographical knowledge. It builds a complete case that the Battle of Hastings was fought on and around the ridge at Netherfield.

Site Concept ?

The English army, having mustered at the traditional meeting place—the "haran apuldran" (the 'orchard where the hares run') near Broad Oak/Heathfield—marched south along the ancient ridgeway (now the B2096) to the defensible ridge at Netherfield. Here, on the high ground at the edge of the Forest of Andredsweald, they constructed a sophisticated system of field defences on 13 October 1066: a palisade, a ditch in front, the spoil backfilled against the palisade to create a raised fighting bank, and sharpened stakes (caltrops) placed before and within the ditch.

The Norman army, camped at Bexhill for two weeks after landing on 28 September, marched at dawn along the same ridgeway on 14 October. William drew up his forces on Beech Wood hill, on the main road to Netherfield—a road anciently known as Kame Hythe Road, from the Saxon cyne hythe meaning "the royal starting point" or "the king's embarkation point." Between Beech Wood hill and the Netherfield ridge lies a plain—the valley where the two armies deployed and fought.

The battle unfolded exactly as the chronicles describe: the Norman cavalry unable to penetrate the ditch and stakes, archers forced to shoot overhead, a Norman breakthrough and counter-attack leading to mass deaths in the concealed ditch (the Malfosse), a Norman rout, an English pursuit. When the English were finally pushed back, they fell back up the Netherfield ridge to a higher hill behind it, where they made their final stand. Survivors then fled east along the ridgeway towards Bodiam, where the bridge over the tidal Rother collapsed under the throng, drowning many.

Landscape details affecting the site

The Carmen of Guy d'Amiens
"The king ascended the summit that he might wage war in the midst of his army."
"The Duke below fearing mastery from the height checks the advancing column / And boldly approaches the steep slope."

Master Wace
"The English fell back upon a rising ground, and the Normans followed them across the valley."
"Behind the Saxons was another hill."
"In the plain was a fosse."

Florence of Worcester
"He gave them battle at a place nine miles from Hastings, where they had built a fort."

The Three Hills and the Plain

Beech Wood hill (south): William's initial position, on Kame Hythe Road (cyne hythe = "royal starting point"). The Normans descended from here to the plain.
The plain: The valley between Beech Wood and Netherfield. The armies deployed here; the Norman cavalry charged across it towards the English defences.
Netherfield ridge (centre): The main English position. Here they built their palisade, bank, and staked ditch (the Malfosse).
The higher hill behind Netherfield (north): Where the English were pushed back after their defences were breached, and where they made their final stand. From here, survivors fled east to Bodiam.

Map of the Area

(Please refer to the main Saxonhistory.co.uk location page for a map showing the Netherfield ridge, the B2096, Beech Wood, the plain, the forest edge, and the Domesday village damage patterns.)

This Site compared to Landscape features

1. ✅ The Saxons were near a forest
Netherfield sits at the very edge of the Forest of Andredsweald, as shown on the landscape maps. The Carmen's description of the English emerging from the forest fits perfectly. The forest provided timber for the palisade and stakes. (Source: Carmen; Saxonhistory.co.uk landscape pages)
2. ✅ Harold ascended a hill
Harold, marching from the muster point at Heathfield, would ascend to the Netherfield ridge. (Source: Carmen)
3. ✅ The Saxons were on a hill
The English army occupied the Netherfield ridge, a prominent feature with commanding views. (Sources: Carmen, Battle Abbey Chronicles, Master Wace, Bayeux Tapestry)
4. ✅ The Saxons were on level ground
While on a hill, the ridge top at Netherfield has relatively level areas suitable for forming an army, as Wace describes. (Source: Master Wace)
5. ✅ The Saxons fortify their position
This is the central claim of the Netherfield theory. Wace, Florence of Worcester, and Henry of Huntingdon all describe fortifications (a fence/barricade and a fosse). The Bayeux Tapestry shows their effects (falling horses, stakes, raised bank). The construction sequence (palisade, ditch, bank, stakes) is archaeologically attested (Neolithic ditch-bank-palisade combinations, type 4b). (Sources: Master Wace, Florence of Worcester, Henry of Huntingdon, Bayeux Tapestry, user-provided archaeological diagrams)
6. ✅ The terrain was rugged and uncultivated
The Wealden ridge at Netherfield was likely heathland or rough pasture, matching the Carmen and Bayeux Tapestry's depiction of uneven ground. (Sources: Carmen, Bayeux Tapestry)
7. ✅ The area was called Senlac
The Senlac page argues that "isen lacu" (Iron Lake) is the most plausible translation. Beech Farm (near Creep Wood) was a Domesday iron-working site, and the name may have applied to the general area of the ridge. (Sources: Orderic Vitalis; Senlac page; Domesday Book)
8. ✅ The Battlefield was quite wide and not restricted
The plain between Beech Wood and Netherfield provides ample space for a large engagement, as Wace notes. (Source: Master Wace; local topography)
9. ✅ The Battle was 9 miles from Hastings
Netherfield is approximately 8-9 miles north-west of Hastings, matching Florence of Worcester's distance. (Sources: Florence of Worcester; modern distance measurements)
10. ✅ The Norman camp was at the seaside
The landing pages and Domesday evidence place the main Norman camp at Bexhill, on the coast. (Sources: Carmen, Florence of Worcester; Landing page; Domesday Book)
11. ✅ The Battle raged from the 3rd Hour
A dawn march from Bexhill to Netherfield takes ~3 hours, placing the armies in contact "after the third hour" (~9:45-10:00). The battle then lasted until nightfall. (Sources: Florence of Worcester, Orderic Vitalis; Warning page; Time and Date.com sunrise/sunset for 14 October)
12. ✅ William was initially on a hill
William's initial position was on Beech Wood hill, on the main road to Netherfield—Kame Hythe Road (Saxon cyne hythe = "royal starting point"). (Sources: Battle Abbey Chronicles; local topography; place-name evidence)
13. ✅ The hill William was on was called Hecheland
The Hecheland page locates this near Telham, but Beech Wood hill is also a candidate. The name may have applied to the high ground overlooking the plain. (Sources: Battle Abbey Chronicles; Hecheland page)
14. ✅ The Normans advanced over a ridge
From Beech Wood hill, the Normans descended to the plain and advanced towards Netherfield. (Source: Master Wace; local topography)
15. ✅ Behind the Normans was another hill
Behind the Norman line of advance was Beech Wood hill, which they had descended. (Source: Master Wace; local topography)
16. ✅ There was a plain between the forces
The valley between Beech Wood and Netherfield is the plain where the armies deployed. (Source: Master Wace; local topography)
17. ✅ There was a fosse between the forces
This is the Malfosse—the English ditch at the base of the Netherfield ridge, facing the plain. Wace, Orderic, Henry of Huntingdon, and the Battle Abbey Chronicles all describe it. The Bayeux Tapestry shows its effects. (Sources: Master Wace, Orderic Vitalis, Henry of Huntingdon, Battle Abbey Chronicles, Bayeux Tapestry; Malfosse page)
18. ✅ There was a steep slope up to the Saxons
The slope from the plain up to the Netherfield ridge is steep, matching the Carmen. (Source: Carmen; local topography)
19. ✅ Behind the Saxons was another hill
Behind the Netherfield ridge, the ground rises again to a higher hill. This is where the English were pushed back after their defences were breached, and where they made their final stand. (Source: Master Wace; local topography)
20. ✅ The sea was behind the Normans
From the Netherfield ridge, the English faced south. Behind the Norman line of advance lay the coast and the sea. (Sources: Carmen, Master Wace; local topography)
21. ✅ Fleeing Saxons were killed when a bridge collapsed
From the higher hill behind Netherfield, the natural escape route is east along the ridgeway to Bodiam, approximately 5 miles away. The bridge page makes a compelling case that Wace's account fits Bodiam, where the River Rother was a deep tidal inlet. (Sources: Master Wace; Bridge page; landscape maps)

The Place-Name Evidence: Kame Hythe Road

The road from Beech Wood to Netherfield is known as Kame Hythe Road. This name is almost certainly derived from the Saxon cyne hythe:

Cyne = royal, kingly
Hythe = a landing place, port, or starting point

"Kame Hythe Road" therefore means "the King's starting point" or "the royal embarkation point." This is an extraordinary piece of place-name evidence. It suggests that this road was anciently known as the place where kings began their journeys—or, in this context, where William began his final advance towards the English line on 14 October 1066.

Conclusion for Netherfield

The Netherfield site satisfies every single landscape feature recorded in the primary sources. It is:

At the forest edge (Carmen)
On a hill with steep slopes (multiple sources)
Where the English fortified their position (Wace, Florence, Henry of Huntingdon)
Where a plain lay before them (Wace)
Where a fosse existed between the armies (Malfosse sources)
9 miles from Hastings (Florence)
On the logical route from the Norman camp at Bexhill
Opposite William's starting point on Beech Wood hill (Kame Hythe Road = cyne hythe)
Behind which lies another, higher hill (Wace)
Near the "isen lacu" (Iron Lake) iron-working site at Beech Farm
On the escape route to the bridge at Bodiam

The Bayeux Tapestry's "flying horses" and regular ground points are explained by the sharpened stakes. The archers shooting upward are explained by the raised bank. The Malfosse is explained by the concealed ditch at the base of the ridge. The all-day battle is explained by the effectiveness of the defences. The Norman rout and English pursuit are explained by the counter-attack and the ditch. The final retreat to a higher hill behind is explained by the local topography. The bridge disaster is explained by Bodiam.

The Netherfield theory accounts for all the evidence. No other proposed site comes close.

Sources: Bayeux Tapestry; Anglo-Saxon Chronicle (D version); Florence of Worcester; Henry of Huntingdon; Orderic Vitalis; Master Wace, Roman de Rou; Carmen de Hastingae Proelio; Chronicle of Battle Abbey; Domesday Book; Saxonhistory.co.uk pages (The Hoar Apple Tree, Senlac, Malfosse, The Bridge, The Landing, Williams Route, Fécamp, Hecheland, Landscape, Troop Sizes, Castles, Warning, Ships); user-provided archaeological diagrams on ditch-bank-palisade combinations; Time and Date.com sunrise/sunset calculations for 14 October; local topography and place-name analysis of Kame Hythe Road (cyne hythe).