Pageant Leaflet, Battle Abbey

In July 1932 Battle Abbey was the backdrop to a spectacular pageant with 3,000 participants dressed in historical costume, telling the story of the Battle of Hastings and the history of the abbey in nine acts. The pageant leaflet gives summaries of each act, historical notes, and names of participants, interspersed with illustrations and adverts.

The Pageant Master was actress Gwen Lally, who specialised in male impersonator roles. The Battle pageant was one of many she wrote and directed from 1924 until the late 1940s. She also taught acting and wrote romantic poetry as a male to a female lover.