Sussex Medieval Society

16/10/2026

Training this Sunday (18 Oct) is cancelled. Sorry for the short notice, and we'll see everyone next time! ⚔️

15/10/2026

Come and join us. First session free, Sundays 2–5pm at Lewes Priory. https://sussexmedieval.co.uk

15/10/2026

We've got a new home! 🛡️

Sussex Medieval Society is now part of Banners of Breteyne (bruh-TAYN), our new national parent group. From now on, our news, events, On This Day posts and adventures will be shared on the Banners of Breteyne page.

Give it a follow to keep marching with us! This page will stay for our training announcements.



https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61595224418907

We are a reenactment and living history group that represents both military and civilian life during the early medieval period from the Norman Conquest in 1066 up to the conclusion of the 2nd Baronial War in 1266.

15/10/2026

On this day in 1066, the morning after the Battle of Hastings, Duke William’s army faced the task of burying the dead on the field at Battle. Tradition holds that King Harold Godwinson’s body was so badly disfigured that it was identified by Edith Swan-neck, his long-time partner, from marks known only to her.

Accounts of his burial differ. William of Poitiers wrote that Harold was buried on the seashore, while the canons of Waltham Abbey in Essex, which Harold had refounded, later claimed his tomb lay in their church.

William stayed at Hastings from 15 to 20 October, waiting for the English leaders to submit. When none came, he marched east to Romney, Dover and Canterbury before turning towards London. He was crowned at Westminster Abbey on Christmas Day 1066.

#1066

15/10/2026

Introducing Banners of Breteyne ⚔️

We're proud to announce that the Sussex Medieval Society is now part of Banners of Breteyne (bruh-TAYN), the new national name uniting our family of groups: Sussex Medieval Society, Portsmouth Medieval Society, Derbyshire Medieval Society and the Routiers.

Each group keeps its own name, home and local identity. What's changing is that we now stand together under one banner, with a shared emblem: a navy and gold shield carrying the chequers on one side and our banners raised together on the other, marching as one.

Same people, same passion for living history, and a bigger family behind every muster. Here's to the 2027 season!

15/10/2026

14/10/2026

On this day in 1066, the Battle of Hastings was fought on Senlac Ridge, about seven miles north-west of Hastings, where the town of Battle stands today.

King Harold Godwinson had arrived the night before at “the hoar apple tree”, usually identified as Caldbec Hill, after marching his army from London. Many of his best men had fought at Stamford Bridge, near York, less than three weeks earlier. His brothers Gyrth and Leofwine commanded alongside him.

At dawn Duke William of Normandy advanced from Hastings over Telham Hill. Harold’s army stood on the ridge in a close shield wall of housecarls and thegns, backed by the fyrd, the shire levies. William’s army came in three divisions, Bretons on the left, Normans in the centre and French and Flemish troops on the right, using archers, heavy infantry and mounted knights.

The fighting lasted most of the day, unusually long for a medieval battle. Norman cavalry charges failed against the shield wall, and at one point a rumour spread that William had been killed until he lifted his helmet to show his face. Chroniclers describe retreats, some real and some feigned, that drew parts of the English line down the slope, where they were cut off.

Late in the afternoon Harold was killed. The Bayeux Tapestry shows a figure struck by an arrow near the eye, though whether that figure is Harold is still debated. Gyrth and Leofwine also died, and the English line broke as dusk fell.

William was crowned at Westminster Abbey on Christmas Day 1066. In penance for the bloodshed he founded Battle Abbey, with its high altar said to mark the spot where Harold fell. The abbey and battlefield are now cared for by English Heritage.

#1066

13/10/2026

Meet Benedict de la Belle, our High Chancellor! 9 years of service in East Sussex, an Arming Sword in hand, and a soft spot for the Battle of Albuera, Death of Stalin and the mighty Ankylosaurus. ⚔️

13/10/2026

What a way to end the season! ⚔️ A huge thank you to Battle Abbey and English Heritage for hosting us at the Battle of Hastings, and to Conquest Norman Re-enactment and Living History, Chanz des Reis and every reenactor who stood in the line with us. Here's to the end of another brilliant season.

Nigel and Debs, you were truly missed this year. The field wasn't the same without you.

#1066