d take it in the rear:
that noble phalanx had no rear. Deepest and strongest at the base of the
triangle, everywhere front opposed the foe; shields formed a rampart
against the dart--spears a palisade against the horse. While that
vanguard maintained its ground, William could not pierce to the
entrenchments, the strength of which, however, he was enabled to
perceive. He now changed his tactics, joined his knighthood to the other
sections, threw his hosts rapidly into many wings, and leaving broad
spaces between his archers--who continued their fiery hail--ordered his
heavy-armed foot to advance on all sides upon the wedge, and break its
ranks for the awaiting charge of his horse.

Harold, still in the centre of the vanguard, amidst the men of Kent,
continued to animate them all with voice and hand; and, as the Normans
now closed in, he flung himself from his steed, and strode on foot, with
his mighty battle-axe, to the spot where the rush was dreadest.

Now came the shock--the fight hand-to-hand: spear and lance were thrown
aside, axe and sword rose and shore. But before the close-serried lines
of the English, with their physical strength and veteran practice in
their own special arm, the Norman foot were mowed as by the scythe. In
vain, in the intervals, thundered the repeated charges of the fiery
knights; in vain, throughout all, came the shaft and the bolt.

Animated by the presence of their King fighting amongst them as a simple
soldier, but with his eye ever quick to foresee, his voice ever prompt to
warn, the men of Kent swerved not a foot from their indomitable ranks.
The Norman infantry wavered and gave way; on, step by step, still
unbroken in array, pressed the English. And their cry, "Out! out! Holy
Crosse!" rose high above the flagging sound of "Ha Rou! Ha Rou!--Notre
Dame!"

"Per la resplendar De," cried William. "Our soldiers are but women in
the garb of Normans. Ho, spears to the rescue! With me to the charge,
Sires D'Aumale and De Littain--with me, gallant Bruse, and De Mortain;
with me, De Graville and Grantmesnil--Dex aide! Notre Dame." And heading
his prowest knights, William came, as a thunderbolt, on the bills and
shields. Harold, who scarce a minute before had been in a remoter rank,
was already at the brunt of that charge. At his word down knelt the
foremost line, leaving nought but their shields and their spear-points
against the horse. While behind them, the axe in both hands, ben