A further medieval battle

[AndrewL]

Following the initial clash, troops on both sides now redeploy: John of Priestbury's longbowmen move to take up a position straddling the great road, and the green dragon horsemen of Asgot Houghtonville wheel about to move to the centre of the battle -- there is no space among the Templars and knight of Ville St Jean for them to reach Chrodegang's shield-wall.

[AndrewL]

Alan of Beaumont's longbowmen move to the flank of their billmen, perhaps hoping to be able to loose another volley of arrows into another of Malterre's cavalry charges.

And Beaumont's mercenary crossbowmen under Hubert take up a position across the road, finding themselves again opposite Priestbury's longbows.

[AndrewL]

There is now hard fighting to the east of the great road, and the horsemen of Siward, lord of Stanbricg (yellow lion on red & blue) charge forward to shore up the Beaumont right wing, killing horses out from underneath the knights of Gunfrid de Port. No thought here of capturing horses -- men on both sides will take any advantage they can get...

[AndrewL]

The polearm men of Picot of Flittlowe and Orderic of Woodbridge hold the line against Malterre's horsemen...

[AndrewL]

Having failed to break the Duke of Beaumont's line with the first onslaught, Malterre's cavalry pull back to regroup...

[AndrewL]

This will give Malterre's own longbows (and the crossbowmen from Middleport and Granpont) a chance to shoot again without risking hitting their own men in the back!

Meanwhile, Godfrey's swordsmen find a gate in the fence along the west side of the great road and begin to march over to support Godfrey's left wing.

[AndrewL]

Crossbow bolts and cloth-yard shafts fly up and down the great road...

And Orderic of Woodbridge's billmen now advance to attack the mercenary pikemen under Bartolomeo del Avanti.

[AndrewL]

There is heavy fighting to the east of the great road, a wing of the battle that neither duke initially thought would much matter.

The remaining knights of Gunfrid de Port, now all on foot, are under heavy pressure from Siward of Stanbricg's horsemen.

[AndrewL]

[And now the chronicler needs to go and make dinner. But worry not, he will return to the tale soon enough...  ]

[AndrewL]

[And now the account resumes... Unfortunately, I think I missed taking photos after one or two turns in the battle, so the narrative jumps here a bit.]

This is an overview shot of the battle as things resume. Godfrey of Malterre's longbowmen in the centre have shot a wild volley of arrows, doing little damage, but his crossbowmen have had better aim. On Malterre's right, the Templars have re-formed and charged again, and Chrodegang d'Alcarville's line is no longer so firm. Asgot Houghtonville's horsemen have charged forward together with Reginald de Fer and Richard of Stratton St Jean, supported by one battalion of Malterre's own pikemen, trying to pin down Alan of Beaumont's archers, but they have been met in the centre by a counter-charge of Payne de St Ivry and some of Beaumont's own household knights. Beaumont's billmen and halberdiers have dropped back, trying to keep a compact formation. Just to the left of the top centre of the photo, Gilbert fitzOsbern (black eagle on red) holds in reserve for the Duke of Beaumont. But Godfrey of Malterre still has his own household knights and another battalion of pikemen.

[AndrewL]

Here some more detailed shots of the Templars charging again, this time with infantry belonging to Eustace fitzGiffard, Earl of Newbridge (red griffin with green & yellow lozenges) moving up in support. The repeated assaults are beginning to wear down Chrodegang's men.

[AndrewL]

A fierce clash of cavalry has now ensued in the centre of the line, with men and horses of both sides swirling around in a wild melee.

[AndrewL]

...

[AndrewL]

Here are some of Godfrey's pikemen, pushing forward to support the cavalry...

[AndrewL]

Along the great road, John of Priestbury's longbowmen unleash a cloud of arrows...

devastating Hubert and his crossbowmen; Hubert himself is killed, and half of his remaining men are struck down.