1066 anniversary: Hastings Castle hosts re-enactment

Members of the Medieval Siege Society will be taking visitors back in time to the Middle Ages with a series of re-enactments, skirmishes and living history events.

Running from 10am-4pm on October 15 and 16 there will be the opportunity to see how a knight was armed for war, what life was really like in a military encampment, displays of battle formations and skirmishes.

Visitors will be able to wander around the military camp to see the different medieval crafts and skills and get an insight in to how people lived and worked during one of the most tumultuous periods of British history.

There will be the chance to interact with the historical figures and find out more about everything from cookery to the life of a fighting knight.

Formed in 1993, the Medieval Siege Society is now one of the largest late medieval re-enactment groups in the UK.

Younger visitors will also be able to take part in their own sword-fighting contests – using plastic swords – with the chance to win certificates.

Visitors will get the chance to walk around the ruins of Hastings Castle and explore the cloistered chapel, the East Gate and the Chapter House.

They can also discover the dungeons carved out of the rock beneath the North Gate and find out all about the fascinating history of Britain’s first Norman castle.

The re-enactment at Hastings Castle is just one of a programme of events taking place this weekend to mark the 950th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings.

Battle re-enactments, parades, races, guided walks, church services and various other community events are taking place at various locations across Hastings and Battle this weekend to mark the occasion.

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