Latest news with #BattleofHastings
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Underrated but 'unloved' UK seaside town named among the best in Britain
A beautiful seaside village in the UK has been named one of the best in the country despite it being 'underrated' - and it's the perfect holiday retreat for this summer A town in the UK "that doesn't get the love it deserves" has been named among the best places in the country. Hastings in Sussex is a beautiful seaside town on the south coast of England. It has a population of 91,000 people and a convenient one hour 23 minute train ride to the capital. It is also a good holiday destination for those who don't want to hop on a plane and travel hundreds of miles from home. For a bit of context and history, the town's name comes from the Battle of Hastings, which took place in 1066. The battle resulted in a Norman victory, which marked a turning point in English history and the start of the Norman Conquest. Despite being a great spot for those seeking a coastal holiday, it seems to be quite underrated despite the many good things it has to offer, such as its extensive history and beaches. Travel company Rough Guides has included Hastings in the list of 30 best seaside towns in the UK. The site said: 'Whether you want nice beaches in England, pebble bays in Wales or coastal artists' retreats in Scotland, the UK certainly doesn't disappoint when it comes to seaside towns.' The site also claimed that despite its rank on the list, the town 'doesn't get the love it deserves'. Things to do in Hastings, Sussex One thing about Hastings is that you'll never get bored of it. There are so many activities, both for children and adults, to suit all different preferences. The main attractions are the Hastings Castle, the Hasting Piers and, of course, a visit to the Old Town. For those who like history, there are plenty of museums where visitors can learn about the town's history and the shipwrecks in the English Channel. Some of the key places are the Shipwreck Museum, Hastings Fishermen's Museum Hastings Museum and Art Gallery. However, if you're looking to relax in the sounds of the beach waves, the beach stretches from the Old Town to Bulverhythe and has a mixture of sand and pebbles. For example, Pelham Beach is a popular spot for those travelling with small children. Alternatively, Stade Beach and St Leonards On Sea Beach are great for sunbathing and other water activities. Hastings also has the UK's largest beach-based fishing fleet, and the town praised for its 'ultra-fresh seafood'. Many restaurants specialise in fresh, locally sourced seafood, offering the best fish and chips to other delicious platters, ensuring that locals and visitors have a wide variety of things to eat. Despite being 'underrated', Hastings welcomes around 63,000 visitors a year with around 3.8 million tourism day trips, as the Hastings Town Deal reported. So, if you're thinking of visiting a new place that doesn't involve taking a plane and has a lot of things to do, Hastings is the place for you.
Western Telegraph
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Western Telegraph
Battle of Goodwick Moor re-enacted by Y Cantref Breiniol
The Battle of Goodwick Moor, or Pwllgwdig, was recreated Goodwick Parrog on Saturday, May 17. A successful crowdfunding appeal allowed the re-enactment to take place, part of a day of celebrations on the parrog and beyond which included archery displays, talks on medieval living, an art exhibition, medieval food and music. (Image: Martin Cavaney) The fine weather brought crowds of visitors to the parrog with locals and visitors enjoying the event. One of the main attractions was re-enactment group Y Cantref Breiniol, joined by Gwerin Y Gwyr, who set up their tents on Goodwick Parrog to showcase a slice of medieval life as well as re-enacting the battle. The Battle of Goodwick Moor, or Pwllgwdig took place in 1078, just 12 years after the Battle of Hastings. (Image: Western Telegraph) The 11th century battle saw the army of King Rhys ab Owain, of the kingdom of Deheubarth, modern day Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion, clash with that of King Trahaearn ap Caradog, King of Gwynedd North Wales. King Trahaearn's troops were successful, and though not as famous as the battle in Sussex, Goodwick's battle is significant in British history as it helped set up the Tudor family in Pembrokeshire. Almost four centuries later Henry VII was born in Pembroke Castle. (Image: Andrew Harries) 'I am pleased to say that the event went very well,' said event organiser Andrew Harries, of the Fishguard and Goodwick Future project 'As it was the first time this battle has had a re-enactment, the aim was to always start small and hope for it to grow in years to come. (Image: Western Telegraph) 'The turnout was brilliant, and the event had a great amount of support and praise. We welcomed hundreds of people throughout the day, as multiple demonstrations were on at different times. 'I'd like to thank Y Cantref Breiniol and Gwerin Y Gwyr once again for putting on an amazing show, whilst also educating the audience. (Image: Martin Cavaney) 'I'd also like to thank The Ocean Lab, Ysgol Bro Gwaun and Cove Corner for being involved in making it such a great occasion for the area. 'It's such a good feeling seeing what was only up until recently a not very well-known battle - become such a popular and talked about event in the county. Here's to next year.' (Image: Western Telegraph)
Western Telegraph
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Western Telegraph
Battle of Goodwick Moor to be re-enacted in seaside town
The Battle of Goodwick Moor, or Pwllgwdig, will be recreated in Goodwick on Saturday, May 17. This key battle took place in 1078, just 12 years after the Battle of Hastings. The 11th century battle saw the army of King Rhys ab Owain, of the kingdom of Deheubarth, modern day Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion, clash with that of King Trahaearn ap Caradog, King of Gwynedd North Wales. King Trahaearn's troops were successful, and though not as famous as the battle in Sussex, Goodwick's battle is significant in British history as it helped set up the Tudor Family in Pembrokeshire. Almost four centuries later Henry VII was born in Pembroke Castle. After a successful fundraising event organiser Andew Harries, of the Fishguard and Goodwick Future project, has announced that a day of medieval celebrations will take place on Saturday, May 17. The event will see the reenactment group Y Cantref Breiniol perform demonstrations, archery and sword fighting throughout the day on Goodwick Seafront. As part if the event, the seafront's Ocean Lab Café will be serving medieval themed food and playing medieval music throughout the day. The newly opened Cove Corner in Fishguard, will be finishing the event with live music from Martyn Ashe, which will begin at 7pm. There are plans for Ysgol Bro Gwaun to be involved in the event and local MP Ben Lake will be invited to attend. The re-enactment will run from 10am - 5pm and will be the first ever medieval re-enactment of the battle. 'This year marks the 946th anniversary,' said Andrew. 'So it's about time we do something to showcase it.' Andrew, who recently managed to get an information board about the battle installed at the entrance to Goodwick Moor, is hoping the re-enactment could be an annual event. 'The battle was a very important part in Welsh and local history and we want to celebrate it by having the first ever re-enactment of the battle,' he said. 'We really want this to become an annual occurrence. Please come along and celebrate what was a hugely historic battle for the history of Wales."
Times
27-04-2025
- General
- Times
The Bayeux Tapestry's mysteries go well beyond its ‘94th penis'
There are several contentious issues in history that have sparked debate and divided historians over the centuries. The construction of Stonehenge, the abandonment of the Mary Celeste, the fall of the Roman empire. Now another mystery has been thrown up: are there 93 or 94 phalluses embroidered into the Bayeux Tapestry? The design on the original 70m-long, 50cm-tall linen cloth recounts the Norman conquest of England in 1066 including the Battle of Hastings. The action is told through a series of tableaux in the centre of the tapestry. On the borders above and below are curious scenes which include nudity, mythological figures, animals and possibly events from Aesop's Fables. It may be almost 1,000 years old but among historians, the cloth, its contents and the
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Medieval tapestry's penis count remains a bone of contention
The Bayeux Tapestry is a remarkable example of medieval art. The embroidery piece depicts events leading up to the Norman conquest of England and spans nearly 230 feet. It is believed to have been completed soon after the Battle of Hastings in 1066 CE. But even as a renowned and intricately detailed artifact, it's not without its controversy. Namely: How many penises are on it? In 2018, University of Oxford professor George Garnett said that the number stands at 93 male genitalia—88 on horses and five on men. But tapestry expert Christopher Monk believes one more penis deserves some extra scrutiny. In this case, a running soldier near the tapestry's lower border who features a noticeable accessory hanging from beneath his tunic. 'I am in no doubt that the appendage is a depiction of male genitalia–the missed penis, shall we say?' Monk said on a recent episode of the podcast HistoryExtra. Garnett, however, remained doubtful about Monk's evidence. The Oxford scholar instead contended the mystery shape is actually a scabbard, and pointed to a gold orb that he believes is the pommel's brass cap. 'If you look at what are incontrovertibly penises in the tapestry, none of them have a yellow blob on the end,' argued Garnett. [ Related: Medieval toilet helps uncover lost home of the England's last Anglo-Saxon King. ] Either way, one needs to examine the original embroidery still housed in Bayeux, France, to properly analyze the total penis count. Although an 18th century replica exists at the UK's Reading Museum, the era's social standards necessitated a censored version of the tapestry that omits most of the genitalia. But why include all those penises in the first place? Like their total count, the official explanation remains elusive. Medieval art is laden with symbolism (including everything from colors, to flowers, to animals), and the Bayeux Tapestry is no exception. According to some historians, the appendages may have been meant to convey 'manliness' and virility. Case in point: the artwork's largest equine penis belongs to the horse gifted to Duke William preceding the Battle of Hastings, thus symbolizing his right to the throne. Meanwhile, others contend the anatomical inclusions allude to Aesop's Fables and other classical and satirical tales of the era. 'There are lots of interesting theories—we don't know really, to be honest,' historian David Musgrove said on the podcast. 'But it's very interesting that they're there.'
