14/10/2026
Today, 14th October 2026, marks two important dates here in the County of Sussex :-
⚔️ 960th Anniversary of the Battle of Hastings
🐻 100th Anniversary of Winnie-the-Pooh
The Battle of Hastings took place on 14th October 1066, in what became Battle, Sussex, when King Harold II of England was defeated by William, Duke of Normandy, changing the course of English history. Harold Godwinson had strong connections to Bosham, Sussex, where it is thought he was born. His family owned a manor here. The famous Bayeux Tapestry depicts him feasting in what is thought to be Bosham Church before setting sail for Normandy.
Winnie-the-Pooh was first published on 14th October 1926, written by A. A. Milne and illustrated by E. H. Shepard, introducing the world to Pooh Bear and his friends. The stories were inspired in part by the landscape of Ashdown Forest in Sussex, where Milne lived, and walked with his son, Christopher Robin. Its heathland, woodland androlling hills became the inspiration for the ‘Hundred Acre Wood’, making Ashdown Forest a magical place for generations of Pooh fans to explore.
In 1966, the two notable anniversaries were celebrated. To commemorate the occasion, illustrator E. H.Shepard designed a book bag inspired by the Bayeux Tapestry. His imaginative artwork brought together English history and the much-loved characters of Winnie-the-Pooh, creating a charming link between the past and children’s literature.