Battle of Hastings Day 2026
Battle of Hastings Day 2026
On Wednesday 14th October, exactly 960 years after the Battle of Hastings, all LC1 students took part in a special cross-curricular day celebrating the remarkable story of 1066 and the return of the Bayeux Tapestry to England.
The day brought together learning from across several subjects, helping students experience the Norman Conquest in creative, practical, and often very noisy ways!
We began with a livestream from the British Museum, where students explored the history and significance of the Bayeux Tapestry, including how it shapes the narrative that we all know today.
Students then moved between French and Latin. In Latin, they became tapestry detectives, investigating some of the original inscriptions woven into the famous embroidery and discovering how Latin was used to tell the story of William's invasion.
Meanwhile, in French, they learned Norman French words and expressions, exploring how the language of the conquerors gradually influenced English.
Many were surprised to discover just how many familiar English words have Norman French roots.
Of course, no study of 1066 would be complete without a battle!
Students enthusiastically re-enacted the Battle of Hastings, taking up swords and shields, as they recreated the dramatic events that led to William's victory. The sound of clashing armies could be heard across the HFC, but the Anglo-Saxon shield wall could only hold for so long.
Harold Godwinson met a particularly dramatic end, and a victorious William was seen celebrating well into lunchtime.
In the afternoon, students reflected on the Bayeux Tapestry's storytelling approach. Using their artistic skills, they created their own visual narrative, depicting their personal journeys to CLC through a series of images.
Just like the medieval women who created the Bayeux Tapestry, students used pictures to tell stories and communicate their experiences – of leaving home, getting older, and coming to CLC.
The day was a wonderful opportunity for students to see how different subjects connect, bringing history to life through language, creativity, and hands-on experiences.
Most importantly, it reminded us that the story of 1066 is not just something to read about in a textbook, but a fascinating chapter of the past that still influences our language, culture and identity today.
Well done to all LC1 students for throwing themselves into the spirit of the day with such enthusiasm, curiosity and creativity. Vive le roi Guillaume... and long live 1066!
Miss Bowden, Second in History and Politics