HAROLD,

255

tixed by the sovereign pontiff, and conscious of c 11 A. ivliis own breach of faith , would be struck with m,terror on their appearance, and would prognosticateto himself that fate which his multiplied crimeshad so justly merited c? . The duke next dividedhis armv into three lines : The first , led byMontgomery , consisted of archers and light-armed infantry : The second , commanded byMartel, was composed of his bravest battalions,heavy armed , and ranged in close order : Hiscavalry, at whose head he placed himself,formed the third fine , and were so disposed,that thev stretched beyond the infantry, andflanked each wing of the army He orderedthe signal of battle to be given ; and the wholearmy, moving at once, and singing the hymnor song of Roland , the famous peer of Charle-magne ", advanced, in order and with alacrity,towards the enemy.

Harold had seized the advantage of a risingground, and having likewise drawn some trenchesto secure his flanks, he resolved to stand uponthe defensive , and to avoid all action with thecavalry , in which he was inferior. The Kentishmen were placed in the van ; a post which theyhad always claimed as their due : The Londonersguarded the standard : And the king himself,

” H. Hunt. p. 368. Brompton, p. 959. Gul. Pict. p. 221-

" Gul. Pict. 201. Order. Vital. p. 50 r.

" W. Malm. p. 101. Higden, p 286. Matth. 'West.p- 223. Du Cange’s Glossary i,n verbo Caniiuna Rolumii.