Norman Conquest Encyclopedia

King Harold II gathered his forces on Caldbec Hill on 13 October 1066, the day before the Battle of Hastings.The main routes for Lewes to the west, Dover to the east and London by way of Rochester northwards met here. William had established his camp on the easily-defended Hastings peninsula and there is some conjecture that Harold hoped to make a surprise attack. The Norman scouts had, however, already reported the approach of the English and preparations for battle were in hand. The village of Battle did not exist at that time, and today a windmill standing east of the A2100 on the minor road to Whatlington crowns Caldbec hill.

Related Reading:

• Hastings 1066 (Revised Edition)- The Fall of Saxon England
  (Campaign 13 )
• Campaigns of the Norman Conquest
  (Essential Histories 12)