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Chain mail covered mounted cavalry

Harold deployed his troops along the top of Senlac Ridge, about 10 men deep for about 1/2 mile in a shield wall. It is believed that about 7000 Saxons were involved, but these troops may have been weary from their forced march from Yorkshire making them less effective.

The Normans were about the same in number, but they had a few advantages.
They used chain mail covered mounted cavalry, whereas the Saxons knights dismounted before battle.
They also had time to rest before the battle, and as many were mercenaries were very keen to win.

At about 9.00am William attacked the shield wall up the hill, and the battle raged for hours, with no effect on the wall. The Breton mounted knights on the left flank of William's forces had been unable to have any effect, and demoralised, they ran, leaving the Norman centre exposed. At the same time rumours of Williams death went through the French lines. The Saxon part time soldiers, the fyrdsmen to the right of Harolds force ignored orders and chased the retreating cavalry. William who was still alive, took off his helmet and rode up and down his battle line. This rallied the Bretons who turned on their pursuers and slaughtered them.

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