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AS SOON AS THE TWO ARMIES WERE IN FULL VIEW OF EACH OTHER, GREAT NOISE AND TUMULT AROSE.
You might hear the sound of many trumpets, of bugles, and of horns; and then you might see men ranging themselves in line, lifting their shields, raising their lances, bending their bows, handling their arrows, ready for assault and defence. The English stood steady to their post, the Normans still moved on; and when they drew near, the English were to be seen stirring to and fro; were going and coming; troops ranging themselves in order; some with their colour rising, others turning pale; some making ready their arms, others raising their shields; the brave man rousing himself to fight, the coward trembling at the approach of danger. ROBERT WACE Roman de Rou Circa 1160 |
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