Note 1354 — Chapter XV · THE NORMAN INVASION AND THE CAMPAIGN OF HASTINGS.[1055] (continued 2)

Roman de Rou, 13733;

“Engleiz ne saveient joster,

Ne à cheval armes porter;

Haches è gisarmes teneient,

Od tals armes se cumbateient.

Hoem ki od hache volt férir,

Od sez dous mainz l’estuet tenir,

Ne pot entendre à sei covrir,

S’il velt férir de grant aïr;

Bien férir è covrir ensemble

Ne pot l’en faire, ço me semble.”

This remark of Wace is well illustrated by many of the figures in the Tapestry.