BattlefieldsHastings -- Malfosse Incident 1066
Early Medieval

Hastings -- Malfosse Incident 1066

1066
East Sussex, England
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
East Sussex, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Forces
Not recorded in historical accounts
Forces
English rear-guard survivors rallying in the darkness
VS
Victor
Not recorded in historical accounts
Forces
Norman pursuit cavalry
Outcome
Norman cavalry pursuit disordered by the concealed ditch; English survivors inflicted casualties before final defeat
The Battle

History & Significance

In the immediate aftermath of the Battle of Hastings, a pursuing Norman cavalry force rode into a concealed ditch or ravine known as the Malfosse -- the evil ditch -- in the gathering darkness. A rallying group of English survivors turned on the disordered Normans and inflicted significant casualties before being overwhelmed. The episode is recorded by Orderic Vitalis and demonstrates that English resistance did not end with Harold's death. The exact location of the Malfosse remains disputed.

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