From many a land came (hired) soldiers, some for land, and some for pay (deniers ).
The Duke William himself combats, in the greatest press he fights; and he too who holds his banner, his name was Tostein , son of Rou the Fair, he was born at Bec, close to Fechamp, a knight of prowess and renown, and when the Duke turned , he turned , and when he halted , he halted . The Duke had a very great company of vassals (vavassors) of Normandy, who to protect their lord exposed their bodies to the blow. Alain Iron Glove (Fergant) Count of Bretagne leads a great company of Bretons. Well fought Alain Iron Glove, a knight he was, proved and valiant, he marches leading the Bretons with him ; he does great damage to the English . The Lord of St. Valerie (Galeri) and the Count of Eu struck good blows there ; and Roger de Montgomerie and Viscount Aymeri of Tours. The Duke William splinters his lance against the English : he strives to get to the standard with the great people whom he leads, and takes upon himself to seek out Harold , since through him is all the war. The Normans march , surrounding their lord , and aiming great blows at the English. These are forward to defend themselves and receive their enemies with blows. There, where the press was the thickest,they of Kent and they of Essex fought wondrously well, and routed the Normans and made them retreat below ,but could not do them great harm . The Duke saw his people issuing out again (i.e. driven from the entrenched high ground into which they had found their way) and the English cheering loudly; from -
