Crowhurst pays tribute to King Harold

The king’s standard flew at a commemorative service at the church on Sunday – he owned the village manor before the Norman invasion.

Lord Lieutenant Peter Field was greeted by a guard of honour of Scouts, Cubs and Brownies, plus parish council chairman Alan Stainsby in his Saxon warrior costume.

Within the service, conducted by the Rev Michael Brydon, were readings relating to Crowhurst, including an extract from the novel, The Golden Warrior, which recounts how William the Conqueror hanged Harold’s reeve from Crowhurst’s ancient yew.

Mr Field unveiled the commemorative plaque, which will be fixed to the yew’s railings and laid a wreath made up of Saxon plants, before a trumpet lament for Harold, written by local composer, Paul Eshelby.

Afterwards, there was a parade of children and a tug of war between Saxons and Normans, before a lunch, treasure hunt and shield-decorating workshop.

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