William the Conqueror

William the Conqueror

The Anniversary of the Battle of Hastings

General History ToursMilitary History and Battlefield Tours

William the Conqueror

The Anniversary of the Battle of Hastings

General History ToursMilitary History and Battlefield Tours

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Tour Introduction

Straddling either side of the English Channel this tour visits a plethora of battlefields, castles, abbeys and churches to tell the fascinating story of William the Conqueror: the magnificent Falaise castle, the place of his birth and adolescence; the celebrated Bayeux tapestry; Caen with its chateau from where the Dukes of Normandy ruled and the abbeys which house both William and his wife Mathilda's last resting places; the battlefields of Val es Dunes and Varaville where William demonstrated his competence as a military leader; Pevensey Bay, from where he launched his conquest of England and Hastings, or rather Battle, where he soundly defeated King Harold to win the throne of England. The highlight of this battlefield tour is sure to be the magnificent re-enactments of the Battle of Hastings which will feature hundreds, if not over a thousand sumptuously armoured and uniformed soldiers.

Background

Known to his contemporaries as William the Bastard, William of Normandy controversially inherited his title in 1035 at the tender age of 7. He was just 15 when he was knighted by his overlord, King Henry I of France, who in turn assisted him at the battle of Val es Dunes to win the fealty of the Norman nobility in 1047. And within ten years he had assured his own independence from King Henry at the Battle of Varaville in 1057. In so doing he had become a strong, efficient and brutal military leader and administrator who commanded fear and respect in equal measure both within and outside of his Duchy. Believing his right to the English throne had been usurped by Harold II, in early 1066 he spent 7 months meticulously planning his invasion which would culminate in victory atop of Senlac Hill on 14 October 1066 and see him crowned king of England on Christmas Day of that same year.

Highlights

  • With medieval weapons expert Dr John Sadler
  • Explore Norman Bayeux
  • William’s chateau at Falaise
  • The battles of Val es Dunes and Varaville
  • William’s final resting place
  • Pevensey Bay and castle
  • Battlefield of Hastings and re-enactment
  • Dover and Rochester Castles
  • Return Eurotunnel 'Le Shuttle' crossing

What's Included

  • 3 & 4 Star Hotels
  • Dinner parties hosted by your expert historian and tour manager
  • Two drinks i,e wine or beer at each dinner and a welcome drink on first evening
  • Buffet breakfast each morning
  • Dedicated Tour Manager
  • Entrance fees for sites included in itinerary
  • Expert historian throughout providing a daily variety of talks, presentations and Q&A
  • Return Channel Tunnel coach crossing
  • Modern, comfortable, air-conditioned coach
  • The company of like-minded travelers

"The coverage of both military and cultural history was excellent juxtaposition - battles & cathedrals"

What you said : The Hundred Years War 2013

Itinerary

Day 1 – Depart.
Depart Ebbsfleet International station at 09:00, Travel through the Channel Tunnel by coach/treain and drive to Caen. Check-in to our hotel for three nights. We take a walk around the city’s impressive castle walls. Introductory talk.

Day 2 – Bayeux and Falaise.
View the Bayeux Tapestry and visit the Norman cathedral. At Falaise we explore its recently restored chateau with its unique interpretation of the Dukes of Normandy. Thence to walk the unspoilt battlefield of Val es Dunes.

Day 3 – Caen and its environs.
At Dives sur Mer we see where William assembled his fleet and embarked for the conquest of England, and its church listing the names of his compatriots. Thence to Varaville where William used the rising tide to gain a tactical advantage. Our day ends back in Caen where we visit the Abbey aux Dames which houses Queen Mathilda’s tomb and L’Abbaye-aux- Hommes where William is buried.

Day 4 – Return to England. Dover Castle
Travel to Calais and return to England through the Channel tunnel by coach/train. Just as did William after the battle, so do we travel to Dover to explore the castle which was much improved by the new king and was the subject of three sieges during in the 13thC. Check-in to our Eastbourne hotel for two nights.

Day 5 – Battle of Hastings.
Drive to Pevensey Bay, where William came ashore and follow his route across the marshes to Pevensey Castle built on the orders of William. Thence to Battle where we will find ourselves on the battlefield of Hastings where we will look at the traditional and the newly suggested sites and allow you to weigh up the evidence and judge for yourself. We also visit Battle Abbey and the interpretation centre. Concurrent to our visit you can expect there to be a major re-enactment of the battle in the afternoon. You will be able to wander through the army camps, question the soldiers, watch demonstrations of medieval fighting, archery and falconry and enjoy period fayre.

Day 6 – Rochester.
Travel to Rochester castle, which although post-dating William’s reign, endured an epic siege by King John in 1215. Continue to Ebbsfleet International station where we expect the tour to end at approximately 14:00.

Recommended Reading List

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