Battle bound in books

The Museum is looking forward to welcoming visitors for Late Night Opening from 6-8.00 pm on Thursday 8 December. As well as looking round and enjoying some seasonal refreshment, the Museum is hosting Nicola Tallis who will be signing copies of her book ‘Crown of Blood: the Deadly Inheritance of Lady Jane Grey’. There will also be the opportunity to purchase jigsaws of the Battle Community Tapestry from Tina Greene.

The Museum was delighted to receive the donation of ‘The Story of the Norman Conquest’ by Daniel Maclise (1866) from Henry Sotheran Ltd (picture shows Trevor Wayne receiving the copy from Sotheran’s Chris Saunders).

Don’t forget that we are also looking for additional volunteers to help as guides next season, as well as other roles behind the scenes. If you are interested in finding out more about opportunities, please contact Margaret Emeleus on 01424 772058.

Battle and District Historical Society

The next History Society lecture is ‘Sussex on Film – Films from Screen Archive South East)’ by Frank Gray at 6.30 pm on Thursday 15 December in the Wynne Room, Battle Memorial Hall (nb the earlier start time). All welcome; non-members £4 on the door. To join the Society, contact the Membership Secretary by emailing [email protected] or come along on the night.

This month in 1066

Once William had accepted the surrender at Berkhamsted of the English from London, he would have been viewed by them as King. However, William and the Normans would not have considered him King until he had been crowned. At this point William hesitated – possibly, he wanted to appear modest and thoughtful but more likely he was still concerned as there were still people rebelling and, also, he wanted his wife to be crowned with him and she was still in Normandy. However, after discussing the matter with his leading supporters, William acquiesced.

An advanced guard was sent to London and almost immediately was involved in fighting – after all, survivors of Hastings had swelled the population and were determined to continue resistance at any opportunity. However, the Coronation took place on Christmas Day at Edward the Confessor’s new church at Westminster Abbey. By this point, many of the English would no doubt have been relieved to have a new King and would have been hoping that the disorder would cease. This was not the case. Unfortunately, at one point of the service, the audience was asked whether or not they would accept the rule of the new King and all shouted out their assent but the guards outside interpreted this as some sort of treachery and set fire to a number of nearby buildings to ‘quell the disturbance’. William stayed in London for the next few days, distributing rewards to his supporters.