The Battle Conference on Anglo-Norman Studies is an annual conference devoted to English and Norman medieval history and culture. It focuses primarily, but not exclusively, on the eleventh and twelfth centuries. Its purpose, as formulated by its founder R. Allen Brown in 1978, is 'to discuss and forward knowledge on all aspects of Anglo-Norman history, with particular reference to the Anglo-Norman realm, but also to be concerned with the Old English and Scandinavian contribution to the Anglo-Norman achievement in Italy, Sicily, Spain and the Crusades'.

The Proceedings of the Conference, now entitled Anglo-Norman Studies, have been published annually since 1978. All papers delivered to the Conference are given at the invitation of the Conference director and editor of Anglo-Norman Studies, at present Chris Lewis.

Four years out of five it meets in Pyke House (on the field of the Battle of Hastings) at Battle, Sussex, setting out to exploit the atmosphere and unique setting of that venue in order to mix established and younger scholars working in any and every aspect of the subject area. By having no more than four c.50 minute papers a day, the Conference ensures that there is plenty of time for discussion, both fairly formal and very informal.

Battle Abbey, entrance

In 1987 (the Conference's tenth year and the 900th anniversary of the death of William the Bastard/Conqueror) the Conference met in Caen, and it has now established a tradition of travelling in every fifth year - in 1992 to Palermo, in 1997 to Dublin, in 2002 to Glasgow, and in 2007 to Gregynog, Montgomeryshire'.

The R Allen Brown Trust has some limited funds and likes to use them to assist postgraduates to meet costs of attending the conference.

The conference generally meets over the last weekend in July. The usual format, though it is likely to be varied when Battle goes on tour, will be to begin with a reception on Thursday evening and to finish on Monday. The programme traditionally includes some site visits.

Preliminary details of each conference are normally circulated in the previous February. To be put on the mailing list or for further information about the conference please contact the director, Chris Lewis, at chris.lewis@sas.ac.uk. Please note that there is no 'call for papers' for the Battle Conference and that all papers are read at the director's invitation. Suggestions for suitable speakers are, however, welcome at any time. For further information about any other aspect of the conference please contact Chris Lewis, at chris.lewis@sas.ac.uk.