CHAP, v.] 



CHIVALRY. 



1G3 



" As soon as the two aimies were in full view of each 

 other, great noise and tumult arose. You might hear 

 the sound of many trumpets, of bugles, and of horns ; and 

 then you might see men ranging themselves in line, 

 lifting their shields, raising their lances, bending their 

 bows, handling their arrows, ready for assault and for 

 defence. . \ ' 



"Forthwith arose the noise and cry of war, and on 

 either side the people put themselves in motion. The 

 Normans moved on to the assault, and the English 

 defended themselves well. Some were striking, others 

 surging onward, all were bold and cast aside fear. And 

 now behold that battle was gathered, whereof the fame 

 is yet mighty. 



" From nine o'clock in the morning, when the combat 

 began, till three o'clock came, the battle was up and 

 down, this way and that, and no one knew who would 

 conquer and win the land. Both sides stood so firm and 

 fought so well, that no one could guess which would 

 prevail. The Norman archers with their bows shot 

 thickly upon the English ; but they covered themselves 

 with th<;ir shields, so that the arrows could not reach 

 their bodies, nor do any mischief, how true soever was 

 their aim, or however well they shot. Then the Normans 

 determined to shoot their arrows upwuid into the air, 

 so that they might fall on their enemy's heads and strike 

 their faces. The archers adopted this scheme, and shot 

 up into the air towards the English, and the arrows in 

 tailing struck their heads and faces, and put out the eyes 

 of many, and all feared to open their eyes, or leave their 

 faces unguarded. 



" The Normans saw that the English defended them- 

 selves well, and w^ere so strong in their position, that 

 they could do little ag it them. So they consulted 

 together privily, and arranged to draw off, and pretend 

 to flee, till the English should pursue and scatter them- 

 selves over the field ; for they saw that if they could 

 once get their enemies to break their ranks, they might 

 be attacked and discomfited much more easily. As they 

 had said, so they did. The Normans by little and little 



M 2 



