The Saxon Barricades are Broken
"And now might be
heard the loud clang and cry of battle and the clashing of
lances. The English stood firm in their barricades, and
shivered the lances, beating them into pieces with their
bills* and maces**. The Normans drew their swords and hewed
down the barricades, and the English, in great trouble, fell
back upon their standard, where were collected the maimed and
wounded.
"There were many knights of Chauz who jousted and made
attacks. The English knew not how to joust, or bear arms on
horseback, but fought with hatchets and bills*. A man, when he
wanted to strike with one of their hatchets, was obliged to
hold it with both his hands, and could not at the same time,
as it seems to me, both cover himself and strike with any
freedom.
"The English fell back toward the standard, which was upon a
rising ground, and the Normans followed them across the
valley, attacking them on foot and horseback. Then Hue de
Mortemer, with the Sires D'Auviler, D'Onebac, and St. Cler,
rode up and charged, overthrowing many.
"Robert Fitz Erneis fixed his lance, took his shield, and,
galloping toward the standard, with his keen-edged sword
struck an Englishman who was in front, killed him, and then
drawing back his sword, attacked many others, and pushed
straight for the standard, trying to beat it down; but the
English surrounded it and killed him with their bills*. He was
found on the spot, when they afterward sought for him, dead
and lying at the standard's foot."
* A Bill - A
halberd or similar weapon with a hooked blade and a long
handle
* A Halberd - A weapon of the 15th and 16th centuries having
an axe-like blade and a steel spike mounted on the end of a
long shaft.
** A Mace - A
heavy medieval war club with a spiked or flanged metal head,
used to crush armor
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