Battle of Hastings re-enactment

The Battle of Hastings is recreated annually on the site in Sussex where it actually took place in 1066, but its 940th anniversary promised the biggest ever re-enactment. As many as 3,000 re-enactors from across the world have camped out at Battle Abbey for performances on Saturday and Sunday.

The main characters of William and Harold were supported on the battlefield by hundreds of mounted troops and foot soldiers.

The re-enactment played out the events of 14 October 1066, the defining day in the struggle for power which followed the death of Edward the Confessor.

He chose Earl Harold Godwinson of Wessex to succeed him on the English throne, but competition soon landed on the northern shores in the form of Harald Hardrada of Norway.

The new King Harold of England marched north to defeat the Norwegian invaders at Stamford Bridge, near York - he was on his way back south when news came that William had landed near Hastings.

The Norman and Saxon armies commenced battle at Senlac Hill - now the site of Battle Abbey - at 0900 BST on 14 October.

King Harold was killed by an arrow through the eye, and his opponent was crowned King William I two months later.

Members of a group called The Vikings, who call themselves Britain's largest Dark Age re-enactment society, preceded the battle by restaging Harold's dash back to Sussex.

They left York on 21 September in full period costume, passing through Nottingham, Leicester, Luton, London and Kent, before arriving in Battle on Friday.

The Vikings posing as Saxons were raising money for the British Heart Foundation.