The twenty-seventh annual Battle Conference was held, in sunny weather as usual, from 29 July to 2 August 2004, and with the support of the British Academy. On this occasion no less than six of the twelve speakers came from abroad: three from the USA, one each from Denmark, France and Germany. The fact that so many speakers could be invited from overseas, making this proportionately the most international Battle Conference so far, we owe to the Academy's generous grant.

Throughout the conference the delegates were, as always, made to feel at home, and well supplied with food and drink, by Alison Martin, Bob Banks and all the staff at Pyke House. I am particularly grateful to Alison for her help in the organisation of the conference, as well as to Hastings College of Arts and Technology for their provision of indispensable facilities and administrative backup.

By courtesy of the Headmaster of Battle Abbey School, the opening reception was held in Battle Abbey itself, on the terrace overlooking the battlefield, and was followed by the Allen Brown Memorial Lecture delivered by Simon Keynes in the splendours of the Abbot's Hall. Owing, however, to unforeseeable circumstances arising from the implementation of a savings exercise in the University of Cambridge, publication of the Memorial Lecture itself has regrettably had to be held over until next year. Some of the delegates were later able to inspect the medieval parts of Battle Abbey School under the expert guidance of Ian Peirce, a tower of strength both before and throughout the conference.