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| Thousands to re-enact 1066 battle | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| More than 3,000 performers are expected to take part in what is promised to be the "largest ever" recreation of the Battle of Hastings in East Sussex. | |
| English Heritage said an audience of 20,000 people was expected to attend the event on Saturday and Sunday. | English Heritage said an audience of 20,000 people was expected to attend the event on Saturday and Sunday. |
| Re-enactors from Europe, Scandinavia, Russia, the US and Australia are set to take part, a spokesman said. | Re-enactors from Europe, Scandinavia, Russia, the US and Australia are set to take part, a spokesman said. |
| A restaging of Harold's march from Yorkshire to Sussex has already taken place in the run-up to the battle. | |
| English Heritage said performers would be living on the site in 11th Century-style encampments. | English Heritage said performers would be living on the site in 11th Century-style encampments. |
| William and Harold will face each other... supported by one hundred mounted troops English Heritage | William and Harold will face each other... supported by one hundred mounted troops English Heritage |
| Re-enactments on the actual battlefield in Hastings take place every year, but the charity said this was the largest restaging attempted so far. | |
| "Never before has English Heritage recreated the battle on this scale," its website said. | |
| "William and Harold will face each other on the field of battle supported by 100 mounted troops and fearsome foot soldiers as they clash swords for the crown of England." | "William and Harold will face each other on the field of battle supported by 100 mounted troops and fearsome foot soldiers as they clash swords for the crown of England." |
| Steven Lowe, a participant from New Zealand, said: "The feeling of being in line, defending a hill against thousands of people coming up against you, the feeling of disorientation, the feeling of the group spirit, it's wonderful." | Steven Lowe, a participant from New Zealand, said: "The feeling of being in line, defending a hill against thousands of people coming up against you, the feeling of disorientation, the feeling of the group spirit, it's wonderful." |
| And Warren Cummins, a Canadian enthusiast, said: "For the last several years I've been involved in re-enactment. | And Warren Cummins, a Canadian enthusiast, said: "For the last several years I've been involved in re-enactment. |
| "It's an honour I think to come out here and recreate something that was so significant in world history." | "It's an honour I think to come out here and recreate something that was so significant in world history." |
| Arrow in the eye | Arrow in the eye |
| Edward the Confessor's death in January 1066 left an unstable country and three contenders for the throne - Earl Harold of Wessex, who was named King, Duke William of Normandy, and King Harald Hardrada of Norway. | Edward the Confessor's death in January 1066 left an unstable country and three contenders for the throne - Earl Harold of Wessex, who was named King, Duke William of Normandy, and King Harald Hardrada of Norway. |
| When Harald Hardrada landed in the north of England to claim his throne, King Harold marched north to face him and defeated him at a battle at Stamford Bridge, near York. | When Harald Hardrada landed in the north of England to claim his throne, King Harold marched north to face him and defeated him at a battle at Stamford Bridge, near York. |
| But then the Normans invaded and the Saxon army raced back south, arriving at Battle, in East Sussex, on the evening of Friday 13 October. | But then the Normans invaded and the Saxon army raced back south, arriving at Battle, in East Sussex, on the evening of Friday 13 October. |
| The engagement began the next day and resulted in King Harold's death, believed to be the result of being shot in the eye with an arrow. | |
| Duke William won the battle and was crowned King William I in Westminster Abbey on 25 December that year. | Duke William won the battle and was crowned King William I in Westminster Abbey on 25 December that year. |