keep together, and defend themselves together. Whoever strayed from that point would be rescued with great difficulty . " The Normans," said he, " are good vassals, valiant on foot, and on horseback ; on horseback they are good horsemen , and accustomed to fight. If they are able to pierce our ranks, nothing will be able to save us. They have long lances and swords, which they have brought from their land ; and you have pointed lances, and great bills well sharpened. Against your arms, which cut well, theirs avail nought. Hew down with all your might, and spare nothing.
Harold had many people and stout, from all parts many had come ; but a multitude is worth little if it wants heavenly virtue. But the Duke had truly more barons and better people : plenty he had of good knights and great plenty of good archers. The English men -at-arms (geldons) carried axes and bills which cut well.
Along their front they had made mantelets [1] (escuz) of ash and other woods, they set them up before them like hurdles joined and wattled,and left no crevice ( jointure): they had made of them a barricade (closture) in front, through which the Normansmust pass who wished to discomfit them . With mantelets and hurdles they surrounded themselves. Here they meant to defend themselves: and if they had kept themselves well in , they had never been vanquished that day. Nor would one Norman force his way in, who would not lose his life, it might be by axe, it might be by bill,or by mace, or by some other arm . They had short and small -
- ↑ Palisades," the shield wall."
