fosse so near, and their ignorance of its existence would increase their confusion when driven to its verge.
That there were so many non-combatants present, who might have been left behind at Hastings, is, perhaps, in a great measure accounted for by the fact already referred to, that the Normans did not wear their armour on their march ; we may,therefore, infer that they did not carry it themselves, as the most convenient way of carrying it would have been to have worn it. We must,therefore,fall back to the supposition that it was carried for them , and, as no train of waggons is alluded to, (which would involve a great number of beasts of burden,) we may conclude that this office devolved on the varlets : for they would wish to keep their light-armed troops fresh , and therefore would not burden them with the duty.
If, while merely on the march, they found the armour of that day so oppressive that they avoided encumbering them selves with it even for a few miles, we may judge how anxious they must have been to keep to level ground, and how even a gentle declivity would be fatiguing and difficult to ascend in the face of a foe ; while on a steep hill side they would scarcely keep their footing.
The varlets released from their porter's office, but still in charge of the baggage, advanced in rear of the deploying columns to a hill which commanded a view of the battle ; such an eminence would be that on which Quarry House stands, and it happens that nothing intervenes to prevent their having a complete view of anything which might take place here. Supposing then the Mal Fosse to be where I -
