The Turmoil of 1066: A Year of Kings and Betrayal

When King Edward the Confessor died in January 1066, no one could have imagined the chain of upheavals that would follow. England, steady under the leadership of Harold Godwinson, Dux Anglorum, was suddenly thrust into a year defined by ambition, invasion, and relentless conflict.

King Edward’s death and Harold’s swift coronation ignited rival claims, foreign threats, and political intrigue that would ultimately cost Harold the crown he fought so fiercely to defend.

The Saxon Times reimagines this extraordinary year as if reported by a contemporary English newspaper, bringing the events of 1066 to life through the voices of its fictional reporters.

This unique narrative journey begins with the consecration of Westminster Abbey in December 1065 and concludes on New Year’s Eve 1066, with England’s new king seeking refuge in a nunnery at Barking.

Blending historical accuracy with creative storytelling, The Saxon Times offers a fresh perspective on one of the most dramatic years in English history — a year of kings, battles, betrayal, and the turning of an age.

To commemorate the 960^th Anniversary of the Battle of Hastings, The Saxon Times will be available at the reduced price of £12.50 until the 14^th October 2026.

Available now at: The Saxon Times, History Walks, Talks and Books by David Clarke

Driving the High Weald

There’s so much history to celebrate in the castles and abbeys, the towns and villages and these five suggested routes, visiting Bodiam Castle, Sissinghurst Castle, Scotney Castle, Batemans and Battle Abbey, will help you to discover the best that this corner of Kent and Sussex has to offer.

The High Weald is an altogether softer countryside of rolling hills, rivers, woods and hedgerows; of ridges and valleys and a patchwork of smaller fields. Farms and oasthouses scatter the view from almost every vantage point and all are connected by ancient roads, Roman roads and sunken lanes.

There is a natural beauty to the High Weald, that has been enhanced though conservation and history, and by ‘Driving the High Weald’ on Three Castles and an Ironmaster’s House, you can experience this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) at first hand.

Start your adventure today

Guidebook available from History Walks: www.1066haroldsway.co.uk

Driving the High Weald | 1066haroldsway

Stade Hall Market

History Walks Talks & Books will be at Stade Hall Market this Sunday 19^th April 2026:

All the History Walks books will be on display and David would love to talk to you about Long Walks, Short Walks, Other Stories and all things 1066.

#stadehallmarket #hastings  #1066haroldsway #saxontimes #historywalks #historywalkstalks

www.1066haroldsway.co.uk

Where: Stade Hall The Stade, Hastings TN34 3FJ 

When: 19^th April 2026, 11:00 – 16:00

History Walks Talks & Books will be at Hastings Book Fair

The Butcher of Rye

When the sun shines through the trees of St Mary’s graveyard, it is hard to imagine that it was the scene of a crime that would echo through the generations in Rye. But maybe there is more to  this celebrated murder than meets the eye. David will be happy to talk to you about A Lamb to the Slaughter at the Book Fair.

All the History Walks books will be on display and if you can’t get to the Fair, they are also available by mail order at www.1066haroldsway.co.uk

Where: Observer Building, 53 Cambridge Road, Hastings TN34 1DT
When: 13 Sept 2025, 11:00 – 16:00
#hastingsbookfair #hastings  #1066haroldsway #murderinrye #historywalks #historywalkstalks #davidclarke

History Walks Talks & Books will be at Hastings Book Fair

There is no better way to celebrate the Battle of Hastings then to imagine the walk to Battle, East Sussex, to a battle that changed the course of English history.  Inspired by King Harold’s March to the Battle of Hastings 1066, there can be no more emotive walk.

David will be happy to talk to you about Long Walks, Short Walks and Other Stories – And ………….. all things 1066.

All the History Walks books will be on display and if you can’t get to the Fair, they are also available by mail order at www.1066haroldsway.co.uk

Where: Observer Building, 53 Cambridge Road, Hastings TN34 1DT
When: 13 Sept 2025, 11:00 – 16:00
#hastingsbookfair #hastings  #1066haroldsway #saxontimes #historywalks #historywalkstalks #davidclarke

DON’T LEAVE THIS WALK IN YOUR IMAGINATION

Immerse yourself in 1066 with a long distance walk inspired by King Harold’s March to the Battle of Hastings 1066, to a battle that changed the course of English history.

King Harold, triumphant at the Battle of Stamford Bridge, now marches to face Duke William of Normandy on a final 100 mile journey from the heart of London. Then as now, the route is based on the Roman road network that was still in use in King Harold’s time, east out of London to Rochester (Watling Street) and south from Rochester across the Weald to Battle.

In its 3rd Edition, this updated and revised spiral bound Guidebook to Walking 1066 Harold’s Way now includes ‘William’s Way’, a final section walking from Battle Abbey to Hastings Castle, for a true Capital to Coast experience.

There can be no more emotive walk.

IT’S MORE THAN JUST FOOTSTEPS ON A PATH

www.1066haroldsway.co.uk

Capital to Coast: The Guide to Walking 1066 Harold’s Way is available from all good bookshops, Amazon and by mail order direct from History Walks.

Publisher:         History Walks, Talks and Books ISBN:                  9781916308312                  

MARCHING TO THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS

MAKE 1066 HAROLD’S WAY YOUR LONG DISTANCE WALK FOR 2025

MAKE 1066 HAROLD’S WAY YOUR LONG DISTANCE WALK FOR 2025

There is no better way to celebrate the Battle of Hastings then to imagine the walk to Battle, East Sussex, to a battle that changed the course of English history.

Inspired by King Harold’s March to the Battle of Hastings 1066, there can be no more emotive walk.

The Guidebook to Walking 1066 Harold’s Way relates the history of that tumultuous year with step by step instructions to guide you from Westminster Abbey and a final section from Battle Abbey to Hastings Castle, for a true Capital to Coast experience.

MORE THAN JUST FOOTSTEPS ON A PATH

Capital to Coast: The Guide to Walking 1066 Harold’s Way is available from all good bookshops, Amazon and by mail order direct from History Walks.

http://www.1066 haroldsway.co.uk

DON’T LEAVE NEXT YEAR’S WALK IN YOUR IMAGINATION

Discover 1066 Harold’s Way. A long distance walk inspired by King Harold’s March to the Battle of Hastings 1066, an battle that changed the course of English history. There can be no more emotive walk.

The Guidebook to Walking 1066 Harold’s Way relates the history of that tumultuous year with step by step instructions to guide you from Westminster Abbey.

Now in its 3rd Edition, this updated and revised spiral bound Guidebook to Walking 1066 Harold’s Way to Battle Abbey now includes ‘William’s Way’, a final section walking from Battle Abbey to Hastings Castle, for a true Capital to Coast experience.

MORE THAN JUST FOOTSTEPS ON A PATH

Capital to Coast: The Guide to Walking 1066 Harold’s Way is available from all good bookshops, Amazon and by mail order direct from History Walks.

http://www.1066 haroldsway.co.uk

IT WAS THE NIGHT BEFORE BATTLE

BATTLE: TWO CIRCUALR WALKS

A figure of eight walk that will fire your imagination of the history of The Battle of Hastings 1066 and The Norman Conquest.

Battle Circular Walks from History Walks Talks and Books

MORE THAN JUST FOOTSTEPS ON A PATH

Buy from British Design, British Made, Battle and by Mail Order from History Walks Talks and Books

#guidebook #historywalkstalksandbooks #1066battlecircularwalks #thesaxontimes #battleofhastings  #britishdesignbritishmade #battle #visit1066country The Norman Conquest.

Discover the Wonders of Alexandra Park

Available from the Pump House Deli and Café, Alexandra Park Hastings.

These ‘Pub Walks in Hastings and St Leonards’ will tempt you with some short but exhilarating walks, a wealth of fascinating local history, good pubs and of course, good beer. But to discover Hastings and St Leonards’ best beers you will need to strike out beyond the prom – and take a brave step that often defeats many visitors, and even residents, by visiting places that are not on the usual tourist trails.

Alexandra Park is unique but most  visitors never venture further than the manicured lawns and children’s playground, but walk a little further into a world  of steep climbs, black lakes sheltered by dark trees, tumbling streams, even a waterfall; a landscape that would not be amiss in Derbyshire and after all the exploring, there’s coffee and a cake at the Pump House Deli or a pint on Queens Road to celebrate the Wonders of Alexandra Park.

More than Just Footsteps on a Path  

www.1066haroldsway.co.uk

#guidebook #pubwalksinhastingsandstleonards #aleaxandrapark #historywalkstalksandbooks #pumphousecafeanddeli