CHAP, v.] 



CHIVALRY. 



161 



selves gallantly, and in each host stood archers ready to 

 exchange shots. 



" Harold had summoned his men — carls, barons, and 

 vavassors, from the castles and the cities, from the ports, 

 the villages, and boroughs. The villains were also called 

 together from the villages, bearing such arms as they 

 found — clubs and great picks, iron forks and stakes. The 

 English had enclosed the field where Harold was with 

 his friends and the barons of the country, whom he had 

 summoned and called together 



" Harold knew that the Normans would come and 

 attack him hand to hand : so he had early enclosed the 

 field in which he placed his men. He made them arm 

 early and range themselves for the battle, he himself 

 having put on arms and equipment that became such a 

 lord. ... He commanded his people, and counselled his 

 barons to keep themselves all together, and defend them- 

 selves in a body ; for if they once separated, they would 

 with difficulty recover themselves. ' The Normans,' said 

 he, ' are good vassals, valiant on foot and on horseback, 

 good knights are they on horseback, and well used to 

 battle ; all is lost if they once penetrate our ranks. They 

 have brought long lances and swords, but you have pointed 

 lances and keen edged bills, and I do not expect that their 

 arms can stand against yours. Cleave whenever you can, 

 it will be ill done if you spare aught 



" The English peasants carried hatchets and keen edged 

 bills. They had built up a fence before them, with their 

 shields and with ash and other wood, and had well joined 

 and wattled in the whole work, so as not to leave even a 

 crevice, and thus they had a barricade in their front, 

 through which any Norman who would attack them 

 must first pass. Being covered in this way by their 

 shields and barricades, their aim was to defend themselves; 

 and if they had remained steady for that purpose, they 

 would not have been conquered that day ; for every 

 Norman who made his way in lost his life in dishonour, 

 either by hatchet, or bill, by club, or other weapon. 

 They wore short and close hauberks and helmets, that 

 hung over their garments They stood in close 



M 



