King Harold Prepares for Battle
"Harold had
summoned his men, earls, barons, and vavasors (a feudal tenant
who ranked directly below a baron or peer) from the castles
and the cities, from the ports, the villages and boroughs. The
peasants 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 place where Harold was
with his friends and the barons of the country whom he had
summoned and called together.
Those men of London had come at once, and those of Kent, of
Hertfort, and of Essesse; those of Suree and Susesse, of St.
Edmund and Sufoc; of Norwis and Norfoc; of Cantorbierre and
Stanfort, Bedefort and Hundetone. The men of Northanton also
came; and those of Eurowic and Bokinkeham, of Bed and
Notinkeham, Lindesie and Nichole. There came also from the
west all who heard the summons; and very many were to be seen
coming from Salebiere and Dorset, from Bat and from Sumerset.
Many came, too, from about Glocestre, and many from Wirecestre,
from Wincestre, Hontesire and Brichesire; and many more from
other counties that we have not named, and cannot, indeed,
recount. All who could bear arms, and had learned the news of
the Duke's arrival, came to defend the land. But none came
from beyond Humbre, for they had other business upon their
hands, the Danes and Tosti having much damaged and weakened
them.
Harold knew that the Normans would come and attack him hand to
hand, so he had early enclosed the field in which he had
placed his men. He made them arm early and range themselves
for the battle, he himself having put on arms and equipments
that became such a lord. The Duke, he said, ought to seek him,
as he wanted to conquer England; and it became him to abide
the attack who had to defend the land. He commanded the
people, and counselled his barons to keep themselves all
together and defend themselves in a body, for if they once
separated, they would with difficulty recover themselves.
King Harold addressed his troops:
"The Normans 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."
|
