King Harold Issues his Battle Orders
The English 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 dishonor,
either by hatchet or bill, by club or other weapon.
"They wore short and close hauberks, and helmets that hung
over their garments. King Harold issued orders, and made
proclamation round, that all should be ranged with their faces
toward the enemy, and that no one should move from where he
was, so that whoever came might find them ready; and that
whatever anyone, be he Norman or other, should do, each should
do his best to defend his own place.
Then he ordered
the men of Kent to go where the Normans were likely to make
the attack; for they say that the men of Kent are entitled to
strike first; and that whenever the king goes to battle, the
first blow belongs to them.
The right of the men of London is to guard the king's body, to
place themselves around him, and to guard his standard; and
they were accordingly placed by the standard to watch and
defend it.
"When Harold had made all ready, and given his orders, he came
into the midst of the English and dismounted by the side of
the standard; Leofwine and Gurth, his brothers, were with him;
and around him he had barons enough, as he stood by his
standard, which was, in truth, a noble one, sparkling with
gold and precious stones. The English stood in close ranks,
ready and eager for the fight. And they, moreover, made a
fosse (ditch dug as a fortification and usually filled with
water), which went across the field, guarding one side of
their army.
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