idea I have entertained, that he had a double line of defence, except, perhaps, in the centre ; for, in front of, and at some distance from , the brow of either wing, are water-courses, which , if backed by the enormous wall of shields and wood, would form a very strong first line of defence ; and we distinctly read that, when this line was forced, the English retired up the hill, and the Normans followed them across the valley. Now, if this shield -wall had only been erected on the heights, neither of these circumstances could well have taken place ;at any rate,the Normans,after they had stormed the crest, could not in any sense be said , to have followed across the valley . I take it, therefore, that there was a second enclosure, almost coincident with this crest, and, of course, of much smaller dimensions.
The strength of this position is partly concealed by the clumps of trees which cover it more or less ; but a close inspection will satisfy anyone that it was a formidable defence. Such inspection will also explain how it was that when the Saxons were driven from their lower position , they were yet able for three more hours to withstand the repeated attacks of the Normans. The front line of this interior defence is also well seen within the precincts of the Abbey itself, close to the Dormitory -- that part of the ruins which most of my hearers better know as the Refectory, and whose roofless walls and dilapidated windows stand so prominently out on the opposing ridge. Further on to the east the front of the position crosses the road at about the point where the two roads meet, and its eastern extremity is distinctly marked -
