To Battle again

This weekend was the re-enactment of the battle of Hastings, 1066. When Harold was shot in the eye, when William the Conqueror came over from Normandy and claimed the crown of England, and when the events inspiring the Bayeux Tapestry took place.

I went with Adam and Nick - there was a big turn-out; plenty of Normans and Saxons ready to beat each other senseless for our education and entertainment. The verisimilitude is always strained by the hotdog and burger vans, but I suppose you've got to offer something other than charcoal-roasted venison to the punters, right?

The camp was bigger than I remember. There were a lot of medieval stalls selling clothing, jewellery, carvings, decorations, and food. A lot of companies had come to attend the event. There was even a bunch of guys from Norway decked out in chainmail and helms.

The weather was very British. Damp and grey, with enough rain here and there to make the battle look like hard work. It added atmosphere, but then I don't know if the weather was fine almost a thousand years ago on that fateful day.

Nick and I have been talking about joining a re-enactment group for some time now, and so we sought out the most intimidating guy on the battlefield. His size, armour, beard, hairstyle, and hundred-yard stare all suggested that he could kill you just by standing too close to you. He turned out to be remarkably well mannered and very cooperative. We found a company based in Canterbury, which seems like the closest group. That's right, there's no battle re-enactment company in Battle. Or anywhere in East Sussex by the looks of things.

These Vikings are holding one of their monthly meetings this coming Sunday. The weather should hold out, which means that an hour and a half bike ride won't be too bad to meet the lords and ladies properly.

Also: someone did get hit in the eye during the battle. It wasn't Harold though, and I think he was hit with an axe; it seemed like he was okay by the end.