The small Saxon village of Findon was situated to the north of the Church, and word would have spread amongst the inhabitants of the imminent arrival of Harold.

Harold and his officials, whilst residing at Findon, would have naturally taken Communion at the Parish Church; a thing so common at the time that no one would have thought it worthy of comment, question or recording.  An ancient Contract held at Magdalen College, Oxford mentions the supply of timber for a church at Findon in 1053, which confirms the existence of the church.  Doubtless it was a simple timber thatched affair — perhaps we would have called it a hut today.

In 1065, Edward the Confessor sent his brother-in-law, Harold, from nearby Bosham across the Channel to the court of Duke William of Normandy. The famous version of the events, which followed, is preserved in the Bayeux Tapestry.  Here, Harold is depicted riding to Bosham Church......

It was prior to this epic sea departure that the traditional story of Harold’s last Communion at Findon took place.  He, no doubt, earnestly trusted that he would be delivered from future unforeseen troubles.  This was not to be the case, and he was subsequently shipwrecked and fell into the devilish hands of the Duke of Normandy.  Harold was then cunningly tricked by the powerful Norman into paying homage to him as the future King of England. This was, therefore, the fatal voyage, which ultimately cost Harold his important crown of England and eventually his life in 1066, and was to go down as the last Communion he took in Findon.

In January 1066, Edward the Confessor died and left no natural heirs. Harold subsequently seized the crown and became King of England, but only for a short time.

William of Normandy sailed the Channel with a fighting force of some seven thousand to claim the crown of England.  He landed at Pevensey with little resistance.  The date was the 28th September 1066.

The inhabitants of Findon most likely knew little, if anything, of what was heralding the most important event in their Sussex history.

Harold at this time had raced north to break and repel a Danish invasion of Northumbria at Stamford Bridge.  As the battle was won, he learned of William’s imminent arrival, and immediately turned and marched with burning haste southwards with his thanes.  (In Anglo-Saxon England thanes were freemen who had been granted land by the King in return for their military service).

Harold had paid his last visit to Findon.  In all probability he would not have diverted via the village during this latest march to defend the coast. The Findon route would have been too far west for an army intent on proceeding with all speed to meet the Normans head on.

The Saxon axemen had a monumental ferocious fight with the invaders at the area now called Battle.  There was literally carnage.   Harold made the critical error of fighting on foot.  William, with the mobility of his cavalry of Norman knights, emerged victorious late in the afternoon of the 14th day of October 1066.

There were many casualties, including Harold, who was never to return to take Communion at the little Saxon church in Findon again.

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