The Duke then divided his army into three lines : the first, led by Montgomery and William, son of Fitzofborne, consisted of archers and light armed infantry, with some slingers ; the second, commanded by Geoffrey Martel, Earl of Anjou, was composed of the bravest battalions, heavy armed, and ranged in close order. The cavalry, headed by the Duke himself, formed the third line, and were so disposed, that they stretched beyond the infantry, and flanked each wing of the army.
Harold, on the other side, had performed all the offices of a skilful commander in the disposition of his forces, and in the choice of his ground. Being greatly inferior in numbers, he took post upon a hill ; and having drawn some trenches to secure his flanks, resolved to stand upon the defensive, and to avoid all action with the cavalry, to which he was inferior. The Kentish men formed the van, the Londoners guarded the standard, and the Danish auxiliaries formed the wings. He ordered the cavalry to dismount, and formed his whole army into one deep phalanx -
