The Battle Can you imagine what the quiet and peaceful fields of Senlac Hill looked like more than nine hundred years ago? Picture the scene early on Saturday morning, 14 October 1066. On Telham Hill, in the distance, are knights on horseback carrying lances and javelins and gaily coloured banners. One knight in particular stands out. This is William, Duke of Normandy, the commander of the Norman army in front of you. Duke William is French, but he claims to be the rightful King of England. This is why he has landed inSussex to fight theSaxon army. Led by the sound of war trumpets, the Norman army slowly begins to move towards you across the valley. Archers armed with bows and arrows are in front, followed by foot soldiers armed with axes and spears. Behind them come the knights on horseback. The Saxons soldiers on either side of you stiffen up. Their faces are tense as they prepare to defend King Harold and England against the Norman attack. The Battle of Hastings has begun. In less than ten hours the fighting is over. By nightfall, the fields are covered with bodies of dead and wounded soldiers and horses. King Harold and his brothers have been killed, and the Norman Duke William rides across the fields as if he is already the new ruler of England. The English speaking Saxons have lost. The French speaking Normans have won.