Re-enacting the Battle of Hastings

Members of historical re-enactment groups prepare to assume the role of Norman soldiers for the annual re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings at Battle Abbey on Oct. 13, 2012, in Battle, England. One-thousand-and sixty-six Saxon and Norman soldiers from re-enactment groups across Europe will aim to faithfully recreate the Battle of Hastings in 1066 which saw the death of King Harold.

Members of historical re-enactment groups prepare to assume the role of Norman soldiers for the annual re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings at Battle Abbey on Oct. 13, 2012, in Battle, England.

Members of historical re-enactment groups assume the role of Saxon and Norman soldiers for the annual re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings at Battle Abbey on Oct. 13, 2012, in Battle, England.

Members of historical re-enactment groups prepare to assume the role of Norman soldiers in the annual re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings at Battle Abbey on Oct. 13, 2012, in Battle, England.

Members of historical re-enactment groups assume the role of Saxon and Norman soldiers for the annual re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings at Battle Abbey on Oct. 13, 2012, in Battle, England.

Members of historical re-enactment groups prepare to assume the role of Norman soldiers for the annual re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings at Battle Abbey on Oct. 13, 2012, in Battle, England.

Members of historical re-enactment groups assume the role of Saxon and Norman soldiers for the annual re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings at Battle Abbey on Oct. 13, 2012, in Battle, England.

Members of historical re-enactment groups prepare to assume the role of Norman soldiers for the annual re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings at Battle Abbey on Oct. 13, 2012, in Battle, England.

Members of historical re-enactment groups assuming the role of Norman soldiers receive a briefing before the annual re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings at Battle Abbey on Oct. 13, 2012, in Battle, England.

Members of historical re-enactment groups prepare to assume the role of Norman soldiers in the annual re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings at Battle Abbey on Oct. 13, 2012, in Battle, England.

Members of historical re-enactment groups assume the role of Saxon and Norman soldiers for the annual re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings at Battle Abbey on Oct. 13, 2012, in Battle, England.

Members of historical re-enactment groups say a prayer at Battle Abbey for the soldiers who died in the Battle of Hastings on the 946th anniversary of the battle on Oct. 14, 2012, in Battle, England.

Members of historical re-enactment groups, assuming the role of Norman soldiers, rest in their encampment before the annual re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings at Battle Abbey on Oct. 13, 2012, in Battle, England.

Members of historical re-enactment groups prepare to assume the role of Norman soldiers in the annual re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings at Battle Abbey on Oct. 13, 2012, in Battle, England.

Members of historical re-enactment groups assume the role of Saxon and Norman soldiers in the annual re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings at Battle Abbey on Oct. 13, 2012, in Battle, England.

A member of an historical re-enactment group, assuming the role of a Norman soldier, eats in his encampment after the annual re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings at Battle Abbey on Oct. 13, 2012, in Battle, England.

Members of historical re-enactment groups, assuming the role of Norman soldiers, depart their encampment to perform the annual re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings at Battle Abbey on Oct. 14, 2012, in Battle, England.

Members of historical re-enactment groups practice their fighting before assuming the role of Norman soldiers in the annual re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings at Battle Abbey on Oct. 13, 2012, in Battle, England.

Members of historical re-enactment groups say a prayer at Battle Abbey for the soldiers who died in the Battle of Hastings on the 946th anniversary of the battle on Oct. 14, 2012, in Battle, England.

A member of an historical re-enactment group, assuming the role of a Norman soldier, builds a fire in his encampment before the annual re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings at Battle Abbey on Oct. 14, 2012, in Battle, England.

Clothing worn by members of historical re-enactment groups prior to the annual re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings at Battle Abbey on Oct. 14, 2012, in Battle, England.

Members of historical re-enactment groups, assuming the role of Saxon and Norman soldiers, perform the annual re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings at Battle Abbey on Oct. 14, 2012, in Battle, England.

Members of historical re-enactment groups say a prayer at Battle Abbey for the soldiers who died in the Battle of Hastings on the 946th anniversary of the battle on Oct. 14, 2012, in Battle, England.

Members of historical re-enactment groups, assuming the role of Norman soldiers, depart their encampment to perform the annual re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings at Battle Abbey on Oct. 14, 2012, in Battle, England.

Members of historical re-enactment groups attach oak leaves to their chainmail as a battle marking prior to the annual re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings at Battle Abbey on Oct. 14, 2012, in Battle, England.

Members of historical re-enactment groups, assuming the role of Norman soldiers, prepare to depart their encampment to perform the annual re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings at Battle Abbey on Oct. 14, 2012, in Battle, England.

A family belonging to an historical re-enactment group walk through Battle Abbey before the annual re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings on Oct. 13, 2012, in Battle, England.