Note 1394 — Chapter X · THE REIGN OF EADWARD FROM THE DEATH OF THE ÆTHELING TO THE DEATH OF THE KING.[1258] 1057–1066.
Reading edition
The Biographer makes a distinct allusion to the change of tactics, p. 425;
“Quum volucres Angli sub Haroldo præside juncti
Tostini cuneis agminibusque citis.”
Were this writer less rhetorical, one might think that cunei meant specially the Housecarls, as distinguished from the “agmina cita” of the light-armed. Cf. Giraldus (ii. 451); “Haroldus ultimus, qui pedes ipse, cumque pedestri turmâ et levibus armis victuque patriæ conformi [see on the Welsh fare just above], tam validè totam Kambriam et circuivit et transpenetravit.” But the fullest account is given by John of Salisbury (iv. 18); “Quum ergo gentis cognosceret levitatem, quasi pari certamine militiam eligens expeditam, cum eis censuit congrediendum, levem exercens armaturam, perornatus incedens fasciis pectus et præduro tectus corio, missilibus eorum levia objectans ancilia, et in eos contorquens nunc spicula, nunc mucronem exercens, sic fugientium vestigiis inhærebat, ut premeretur ‘pede pes et cuspide cuspis,’ et umbo umbone repelleretur.”