Senlac: A Hydrological Analysis of the Sandy Stream at Battle, UK

Keywords: Battle of Hastings, Hydrology, Terrain Analysis, Human-Environment Relations
Session Type: Virtual Paper Abstract
Day: Sunday
Session Start / End Time: 2/27/2022 08:00 AM (Eastern Time (US & Canada)) - 2/27/2022 09:20 AM (Eastern Time (US & Canada))
Room: Virtual 47

Abstract

A number of studies have examined hydrologic trends over the course of centuries and in a variety of contexts. Few, however, have investigated hydrologic trends associated with historically significant sites, such as medieval battlefields. Most studies on medieval battles and battlefields focus almost exclusively on the written historical record with little or no consideration of the associated landscape, despite its potential role in shaping events of the time. Applying a hydrologic perspective to these analyses could thus offer considerable value in better understanding battle conditions, particularly through: 1) estimations of the local precipitation, stream discharge and sediment transport around the time of the battle and 2), mapping the potential saturated soils in those conditions. As an example of how such analysis may help us to better understand the impact of these and related factors, this study will investigate the hydrology of Battle, UK, the site of the Battle of Hastings (1066). One of the descriptors of the Battle of Hastings which has long engaged historians is the term “Senlac” which has been interpreted as a sandy stream. However, at present, we do not know the characteristics of that stream and how precisely it may have been thought to influence the outcome of the conflict. The study will seek to answer this question through a hydrologic analysis focusing specifically on the stream and its situational context on the battlefield. The study concludes with a discussion of the implications of these findings for applying hydrological analyses to other historical events.