On October 14, 1966, a group of 500 students from Kent and Sussex universities gathered near Hastings to mark the 900th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings. The event involved a large-scale re-enactment of the famous 1066 conflict between the English forces of King Harold and the invading Norman army of William the Conqueror.

Rare footage of the event has recently surfaced, documenting the spectacle. The re-enactment was characterized by a mix of historical enthusiasm and logistical mishaps. According to reports, the start of the battle was delayed by 20 minutes because the participants portraying the Norman army were stuck in traffic on the A27 near Brighton while attempting to arrive in costume. Once the event commenced, the students engaged in a spirited, if not entirely historically accurate, confrontation. The footage captures the students shouting the name of King Harold while brandishing spears, resulting in what observers described as a "god-almighty punch-up" on the hillside.

The event serves as a notable example of 1960s student culture engaging with national history. While the re-enactment aimed to honor the significance of the 1066 battle, the organizers acknowledged that the production values and historical fidelity were not strictly precise. The footage provides a unique window into how the anniversary was observed at the time, blending academic interest with the improvisational spirit of the era.