Huge canvas of 1066 found under a floor returns to Battle Abbey

A gigantic painting of the Battle of Hastings, which languished for decades underneath the floorboards of a museum, was returned to public view yesterday near the scene of William the Conqueror's victory in 1066.

The painting, measuring eight metres (27ft) by five metres (17ft), is one of the largest in the country. It was painted in about 1820 by Frank W Wilkin, who was commissioned by Battle Abbey School in Battle, East Sussex.

It hung at the Abbey until 1862, when it fell out of favour with the owner and was stored in various locations until it was rediscovered in 1939 left under floorboards at Hastings Museum, badly damaged by damp and mistreatment over the years.

It was finally delivered to the Department of Environment conservation studio in 1978, before the studio was taken over by English Heritage.

Work began in 1999 to restore the painting of William the Conqueror at the head of his band of knights coming across the body of King Harold. The project, which restored its brilliance of colour and sharpness of detail, cost about £80,000.

The picture was returned yesterday to the school's Great Hall. The abbey is an English Heritage property that attracts thousands of visitors from around the world every year to explore the battlefield and the historic building.

Adrian Buckley, head of English Heritage's painting and conservation studio, said: "It is one of our biggest conservation projects to date. Extensive damage was caused after the painting was cut from its frame, folded and stored in the damp under floorboards.

"We have flattened the huge canvas, strengthened it, cleaned the layers of dirt and grime, and restored painted areas that had worn away.

"We are thrilled with the vibrancy of colour which has been restored to this vast survivor of the early 19th century."