556. 1066: The Battle of Hastings (Part 3)

Suddenly, looking towards the forest, the Duke saw glimpses of English columns and a great glittering of spears. Spilling out from the trees there came troops of men, and then, emerging into full view, an entire army. There was a hill near the forest, set beside a valley, and the ground had been left untilled because the terrain was so rough. Advancing in massed order, which is the English custom, they seized possession of this place and readied for battle.

Ignorant of war as they are, the English scorned to ride horses, preferring instead to trust in their strength and stand fast on foot, and they count it the highest honour to die in arms in defence of their native soil, so as to prevent any foreign yoke being imposed upon it. The king of the English, preparing to meet the enemy, climbed the hill and strengthened both his wings with noble men. On the very summit of the hill he planted his banner, and ordered his other standards as well to be set up. All his men dismounted and left their horses in the rear, and then, taking their stand on foot, they let the trumpets sound for battle.

So, that's a source called The Song of the Battle of Hastings, probably written within months of the battle, and we'll come back to exactly what that source is. But listeners who have stuck with us through this mighty series will remember that last time we followed the heart stopping, blood curdling drama of Harold Hardrada's invasion of northern England, and we heard how Hardrada was cut down and killed at the Battle of Stamford Bridge by the English king Harold Godwinson, formerly Earl of Wessex. in one of the greatest victories ever won by Anglo Saxon or indeed English arms. So, Tom, Stamford Bridge was the 25th of September, and we heard how at the turn of October Harold heard the terrible news of the landing of William of Normandy. And so now, less than three weeks later, he is at or just outside Hastings and he is facing another

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