Senlac Hill
Encyclopedia
Senlac Hill was the ridge on which Harold Godwinson
deployed his army for the Battle of Hastings
on October 14, 1066. The high ground the hill offered gave the English a great advantage over the Normans, who made repeated charges up the hill but to no avail. Only when the Normans feigned retreat did the English leave the hill to pursue the Normans. Once the English were on flat ground the Normans made their stand, soon Harold was killed in battle and the English became disorganized allowing the Normans to win the battle.
punned into Sanguelac ("Blood Lake") which was then shortened to Senlac: thus Senlac Hill is the commonly held name for the high ground defended by the English army. Senlac Hill was c. 275 feet (84 m) above sea level, before the top of the ridge was leveled off to create Battle Abbey
. This hill can be found in Hastings
, England
.
Harold Godwinson
Harold Godwinson was the last Anglo-Saxon King of England.It could be argued that Edgar the Atheling, who was proclaimed as king by the witan but never crowned, was really the last Anglo-Saxon king...
deployed his army for the Battle of Hastings
Battle of Hastings
The Battle of Hastings occurred on 14 October 1066 during the Norman conquest of England, between the Norman-French army of Duke William II of Normandy and the English army under King Harold II...
on October 14, 1066. The high ground the hill offered gave the English a great advantage over the Normans, who made repeated charges up the hill but to no avail. Only when the Normans feigned retreat did the English leave the hill to pursue the Normans. Once the English were on flat ground the Normans made their stand, soon Harold was killed in battle and the English became disorganized allowing the Normans to win the battle.
Etymology
It was originally known in English as Santlache ("Sandy Stream"), which the NormansNormans
The Normans were the people who gave their name to Normandy, a region in northern France. They were descended from Norse Viking conquerors of the territory and the native population of Frankish and Gallo-Roman stock...
punned into Sanguelac ("Blood Lake") which was then shortened to Senlac: thus Senlac Hill is the commonly held name for the high ground defended by the English army. Senlac Hill was c. 275 feet (84 m) above sea level, before the top of the ridge was leveled off to create Battle Abbey
Battle Abbey
Battle Abbey is a partially ruined abbey complex in the small town of Battle in East Sussex, England. The abbey was built on the scene of the Battle of Hastings and dedicated to St...
. This hill can be found in Hastings
Hastings
Hastings is a town and borough in the county of East Sussex on the south coast of England. The town is located east of the county town of Lewes and south east of London, and has an estimated population of 86,900....
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.