Note 1428 — Chapter XV · THE NORMAN INVASION AND THE CAMPAIGN OF HASTINGS.[1055] (continued 2)
Reading edition
Roman de Rou, 13428–13461. The sworn brotherhood is thus described;
“Ki s’esteient acumpaignié
Por ço ke bien erent preisié.
Ensemble debveient aler,
Li uns debveit l’altre garder.”
Of their axes we read, as of that of Harold;
“En lors cols aveient levées
Dui gisarmes lunges è lées;
As Normanz feseient granz mals,
Homes tuoent è chevals.”
It is hard to identify any of these stories with the particular groups in the Tapestry, but in plates 15 and 16 several single combats of this kind may be seen, which well illustrate the deadly effect of the English axes.