Could this Battle roundabout be the true site where King Harold lost his life at the Battle of Hastings?
Channel 4's Time Team has uncovered new evidence which questions the received wisdom that the last Anglo-Saxon king of England died where Battle Abbey now stands.
Their archaeologists now claim he fell on the site of what is now a mini roundabout on the A2100 - and English Heritage is looking into it too.
The roundabout is now home to Totesport bookmakers, the Chequers Pub and Ye Olde Cafe.
The programme's experts used aerial technology called LIDA to map Battle's terrain. This suggested the Abbey location would be too boggy for the Norman army's cavalry.
Looking at the recreated landscape, they settled upon the A2100 mini-roundabout as the most likely location.
Tony Robinson said :"There was a long ridge which the Normans would have to take if they were going to head north and within that there was a narrow pass."
He added: "There is apparently no sense whatsoever in fighting the battle in the field below Battle Abbey which has always been designated and thought of as the site of the actual fighting."
Their theory was supported by an axe head in the town museum which was said to have been found near the roundabout.
Abbey curator Roy Porter said the theory would be taken into account.
Mr Porter, who works for English Heritage, said the Time Team location was still within the established battlefield site.
He said: "The now-famous roundabout lies about 100m to the east of the abbey's precinct wall and, of course, the fighting would have taken place over a wider area than simply the road and the roundabout."
In 2011, historian Nick Austin claimed King Harold was defeated by William the Conqueror two miles away in Crowhurst.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel