The horseman's superiority over foot soldiers was proved conclusively near the English town of fdas-tings on October 14, 1066, when Norman invaders led by Duke William attacked King Harold's Saxon army. The battle, illustrated here with scenes from the 11th Century Bayeux Tapestry, was fought out between forces that seemed equal. Each army had roughly 5,000 men. The enemies were similarly armed, with swords, lances and short bows, and they wore the same basic battle garment—a coat of mail, which might consist of 250,000 steel rings.
There was one real difference between the two forces: the Norman army had many horsemen. Their charges finally wore down the Saxons and made William England's King. With this victory, the cavalry began a reign that would last 300 years.
SAXON FOOT SOLDIERS, hurling their missiles, face Norman riders at Hastings. A chronicler wrote, "King Harold was slain there .. . and many good men, and the Frenchmen had possession of the place of slaughter."
MAN-TO-MAN COMBAT between a Norman on horseback and a Saxon on foot clearly shows the rider's advantage at close quarters. The mounted swordsman, slashing from above, outreaches and strikes down his opponent.
World History
