Hundreds of soldiers - including archers, axe-wielding warriors and mounted cavalry - clashed at Senlac Hill before an audience of thousands.

The grand re-enactment of the events of October 14, 1066, attracted cheers, boos, cries and chants from the crowd who packed into Battle Abbey for the Hastings Week event.

On the grounds of the famous battle that changed the course of England's history forever, the air was thick with the smells of leather, horses and campfire all day.

Aside from the re-enactment itself, many medieval craftsmen had their wares on show.

Visitors had a chance to see how the hundreds of thousands of arrows used during the Battle of Hastings were crafted individually by master fletchers, while traditional carpenters whittled tools by hand.

The hundreds of re-enactors, who have come from all over the world to take part in the weekend's events, have set themselves up in medieval-style tents and, after the battle, dined on traditional stew cooked on the campfires.

Even Harold, despite a nasty-looking injury to his eye, managed to get something down.

There's loads to do and see at the event, which is open again tomorrow (Sunday), Hastings Day itself, from 11am to 4pm.

There will be a weapons display and skirmish at 11.30am; falconry displays at 12noon and 2.30pm; Norman hunting and cavalry display at 12.30pm; an archery display at 1pm; and the Battle of Hastings starts at 3pm. The stalls and other attractions are open all day.

Click here to see our gallary of pictures by Lucy Daley. Even more pictures will appear in Friday's Observer.