Note 1167 — Chapter XV · THE NORMAN INVASION AND THE CAMPAIGN OF HASTINGS.[1055]
Reading edition
Will. Pict. 139. “Illuc errore appulsos fera gens adorta prœlio, cum utriusque partis maximo detrimento, fuderat.” Benoît, 37682;
“Qu’arivé i out de sa gent,
Je ne sai par quel achaison;
Mais li Engleis pesme e felon
Les li ocistrent par pecchié.”
All we can see is that the encounter, however caused, happened before the great battle.