Norman Conquest Timeline

THE INVASION - EYEWITNESS REPORTS

East Sussex, 2 October 1066

Refugees are flooding out of East Sussex as the Norman army rampages unopposed across the countryside. Although William of Normandy has made no attempt to move out of his strongholds at Hastings and Pevensey, raiding parties continue to burn, loot and pillage.

The first to suffer were the people of Pevensey which, until five days ago, was a peaceful fishing port and market town. Oswald, a local merchant, witnessed the Normans landing.

"A special detachment of the fyrd under Ulf, thane of Horstede, had been stationed in Pevensey all summer," he said. "But it left just three weeks ago. So when we saw the Normans coming, there was nothing we could do - except hide. I watched helpless as the Normans slaughtered my cattle. They lit fires and strung up cauldrons to cook them and I was lucky enough to get away while they were eating."

More than half the population of Pevensey were killed or fled. Elfalm, the Saxon lord of the village of Catsfield, was lucky to escape with his life when marauding Normans devastated his manor house. "Ninfield was badly damaged too and Ashburnham completely laid waste," he said. "But Wartling escaped because it is on a promontory in the marshes and off the beaten track."

Hailsham, Hertsmonceux and Hooe all came under attack. Knights looted the villages and more than half the houses were destroyed. Lewinna of Hailsham witnessed the destruction. "Bexhill, Crowhurst, Wilting and Filsham were completely devastated," she said. "The soldiers took everything they could carry and burnt the houses down. It was wanton destruction. I saw French mercenaries laden with valuables, but it's the food we're going to miss. The Normans took all our livestock and our grain. There's nothing left for us to eat. Come winter, me and my children will starve."

Lewinna knows little of the politics of the situation, and is perplexed by William's actions. "I don't know why William of Normandy is acting like this. He reckons he's our king, so why doesn't he act like it? We've had Normans around these parts before and they've always been decent sorts. Even the French called him William the Bastard. Now we know why."

The feeling among local people is that the Normans are barbarians, no better than the Vikings before them. Many understand that William has a claim to the throne, but they feel that this in no way justifies the destruction he has inflicted on them.

Harold is a local hero and people are hoping that he will come quickly and rid them of the Normans. But, realistically, the people of East Sussex have little to look forward to. When Harold's army arrives, they too will need to be fed and provisioned at the expense of local people. William is in a good defensive position and a prolonged siege would be a further disaster for the people of East Sussex. The best they can hope for is a quick and decisive battle and a good crop of bounty from the battlefield dead.

Article by Nigel Cawthorne