On other occasions, however, the clergy fulfilled in the field duties more in harmony with their peaceful calling,--attending the wounded or consoling the dying. At the battle of Hastings, the Norman priests gathered together on a hillock, where, during the contest, they offered up prayers for their companions:--
"Li proveire è li ordené En som un tertre sunt monté, Por Dex préier è por orer."--_Wace_, l. 13081.
And frequent injunctions forbade these holy men from joining in military exploits. Among the decrees of the synod of Westminster, promulgated in 1175, we read: "Whoever would appear to belong to the clergy, let them not take up arms, nor yet go about in armour. If they despise this injunction, let them be mulcted with the loss of their proper rank[178]."
The TACTICS of this period are pretty clearly exemplified by the proceedings of Duke William at the field of Hastings. The army was divided into three corps:--
"Normanz orent treiz cumpaignies, Por assaillir en treiz parties."
The hired troops were placed in the first division, to bear the brunt of the fight:--
"Li Boilogneiz é li Pohiers[179] Aureiz, è _toz mes soldéiers_."
The second consisted of the Poitevins and Bretons,
And this, led by William himself, appears to have held the position of a reserve:--
"E jo, od totes mes granz genz, Et od amiz et od parenz, Me cumbatrai par la grant presse, U la bataille iert plus engresse[180]."
"Cil a piè aloient avant Serréement, lor ars portant."
The charge of the horse, as is well known, was preceded by the feat of Taillefer, to whom the duke had accorded the privilege of striking the first blow. The charge of the knights was at this time, and long after, made in a single line, or _en haie_, as it was called; the attack in squadrons being a much later practice. The Normans acted against their opponents as well by the weight of the horse as by dint of weapons. One knight--
"Assalt Engleiz o grant vigor Od la petrine du destrier: En fist maint li jor tresbuchier, Et od l'espée, al redrecier, Véissiez bien Baron aidier."--_Line_ 13491.
"----un Engleis ad encuntré, Od li cheval l'a si hurté, Ke mult tost l'a acraventé, Et od li piez tot défolé[181]."--_Line_ 13544.
Spare horses and arms are provided for distinguished leaders:--