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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Hastings
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(14 Oct. 1066) Battle which launched the Norman *Conquest on its successful course. The two protagonists, *Harold II and *William the Conqueror, each had about 7000 men; but whereas the English had only foot soldiers with hand weapons (swords, axes, spears, slings), the Normans had archers and cavalry. The Normans spent all day trying to dislodge the English from the ridge, some 16km/10m northwest of Hastings, on which now stand the abbey and town of *Battle. Harold was killed in the late afternoon (according to tradition by an arrow through the eye) and at dusk the English fled. The battle is the main event depicted in the *Bayeux tapestry, where the image of Harold's death is the earliest source for that fatal arrow.
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