William the Conqueror

The Anniversary of the Battle of Hastings

General History Tours Military History and Battlefield

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-ès-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.

Highlights

• Explore Norman Bayeux
• Visit William’s chateau at Falaise
• Examine the tactics of the battles of Val-ès-Dunes and Varaville
• See William’s final resting place
• Stand at Pevensey Bay and castle
• Explore Dover and Rochester Castles
• Visit the site of the Battlefield of Hastings and enjoy the re-enactment

Tour Details

12 - 17 Oct 2027

(6 Days)

Activity Level: 2

Expert Historian
Dr John Sadler

Incl. travel from UK: N/A

Expert Guides

Dr John Sadler

Dr John Sadler was a lawyer, a lecturer in war studies at the University of Sunderland Centre for Lifelong Learning and an experienced battlefield tour guide, widely published on the themes of the Border and Scottish Wars. He is an acknowledged authority on armour, weapons and fighting styles of the period and adopts an interactive approach with his audience with demonstrations of swordplay, musket drill and the odd dash of drama! He sees delivery as much a performance as a lecture!

Find Out More

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.

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

What you said : The Hundred Years War 2013

What's Included

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

Itinerary

Day 1 - Depart

Assemble at Ashford International station and drive to Caen via the Channel Tunnel on Le Shuttle or if making your own travel arrangements meet us at the hotel. Welcome drink and Introductory talk. Hotel in Caen – 3 nights. (D).

Day 2 - Bayeux and Falaise

Drive to the unspoilt battlefield of Val-ès-Dunes where in 1047 William defeated a force of rebel barons and enhanced his reputation as a military leader. At Falaise we explore the recently restored chateau with its unique interpretation of the Dukes of Normandy. Move on to Bayeux where we admire the magnificent Norman cathedral*. (B, D).

“Please note that the Bayeux Tapestry museum is closed for restoration until October 2027.”

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. (B, D)

Day 4 - Return to England. Dover Castle

Drive to Calais and return to England through the Channel tunnel via Le Shuttle. 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. Hotel in Eastbourn - 2 nights. (B, D)

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. (B, D)

Day 6 - Rochester

Travel to Rochester castle, which although post-dating William’s reign, endured an epic siege by King John in 1215. Return to Ashford International station where the tour ends early afternoon. (B).