Highlands Ranch High School - Mr. Sedivy
Highlands Ranch, Colorado

The Entire Bayeux Tapestry - Part VII

On Senlac, an English scout informs a mounted Harold of the enemy's approach. William dispatches his troops with stirring words: "Now is the time for you to show your strength. ... You fight not merely for victory but survival. ... There is no road for retreat."

With shouts of "God help!" the first rank moves forward. "Terrible sound of trumpets on both sides signalled the beginning of the battle," recorded William of Poitiers. Wearing only leather jerkins or quilted coats for protection, Norman bowmen advance within arrow range.

One-hundred-yards from the enemy line, the Nornam archers let loose a barrage of shafts that clatters against the shield wall like a hailstorm. When they make not a dent in the human fortress, William orders up his knights. Armed with lances, mailed horsemen charge into the fray.

Britons, Normans, and European mercenaries pound toward the seasoned housecarls, Harold's personal troops on the hilltop.
Ranks stand so packed that the slaughtered cannot fall. Steel clashes against steel, and the awful drone of javelins fills the air.

Wielding battle-axes and hurling spears and stones, the English give measure for measure. "They bravely withstood and successfully repulsed those. ... at close quarters," wrote William of Poitiers, and inflicted loss upon the men who were shooting missiles at them from a distance."

Norman swords claim important victims in the fierce hand-to-hand combat as Harold's brothers Leofwine and Gyrth topple in death. But during the first hours of battle the English line, holding firm and unbroken, turns back the onslaught of cavalry.