The superior height and strength of
the English, and the sweep of their terrible battle-axes, counterbalanced
the advantage the horses afforded to the Normans, and the hitherto
irresistible chivalry of Normandy and France were, for the first time,
dashed backwards by trained infantry.
In front of the English line the ground was thickly covered with fallen men
and horses. There were but few wounded among them, for where the English
axe fell, whether on horse or rider, it did its work thoroughly. But the
English, too, had suffered. The action of swinging the axe with both arms
above the head left the neck and upper part of the body exposed, and many
had fallen pierced through and through by the Norman spears. A great shout
of triumph rose from the English line as the Norman horsemen, unable to do
more, fell sullenly back down the hill. As in the centre the king with his
thanes and housecarls had repelled the attack of the Normans, so on the
flanks the English levies had held their ground against the Bretons and
French; but, carried away by their exultation, the levies on the right,
forgetful of Harold's express orders that no man was to stir from his place
until he himself gave the signal for pursuit, broke their line, and rushing
down the hill fell on the retreating Bretons.
Unable to withstand the onslaught, and already disheartened by their
failure, the Bretons fled in wild alarm, and rushing towards the centre for
protection threw the Normans also into confusion.
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