Could William havelanded at the BredeValley estuary?

Kathleen Tyson has re-translated from Latin the most contemporary account of the Norman Invasion, the ‘Carmen de Hastingae Proleio’.

Her views cast fresh doubt on what we know about one of the most important events in English history.

On Saturday she will be putting forward her theory at a talk hosted by Winchelsea Archaeological Society at historic St Thomas’s Church.

She believes that William and his soldiers landed in the estuary of the River Brede, below the village of Petty Iham, on the western slopes of the hill on which modern Winchelsea sits.

Richard Comotto, of Winchelsea Archaeological Society, said: “Historians have long doubted the tradition that William landed at Pevensey and that the Battle of Hastings was fought at Battle.

“Kathleen’s hypothesis also sheds light on the likeliest sites for the Battle of Hastings and William’s burial place.”

There has been much recent controversy as to the actual site of the Battle of Hastings.

After years of research, historian Nick Austin claimed, in his book Secrets of the Norman Invasion, the clash never took place in Battle at all – but in nearby Crowhurst.

Mr Austin says documents show the Abbey was initially being constructed in Crowhurst, before it was deemed an unsuitable location and moved to its current site.

He studied the Doomsday Book, which shows that Crowhurst suffered greater devastation following the Battle of Hastings than Battle itself.

The talk, on Saturday, starts at 3pm and all are welcome. Entry is free to members and under-16s, and £4 to non-members.