The 1066 Malfosse Walk (2 Revised edition)

Following the death of King Harold II much of what remained of his army broke ranks and began to flee.

Their hopes of salvation lay in the rapidly failing light and in reaching the great Wealden forest approximately one mile north of the battlefield. Leaving the infantry to consolidate the Senlac ridge the Norman cavalry now pursued the fugitive English.

It was at this point that an incident occurred which has come down to us with the name 'Malfosse' (Evil ditch).

At this place the English made a stand, and there is no doubting the significance of the disaster which even at this late stage threatened to turn victory into defeat and death for Duke William. In the chaos that now ensued many of William's leading knights were slain.

Duke William was warned that it was death to go on, but he would have none of it and, wielding his broken lance, ordered his men back to the pursuit.

At this moment a Saxon, leaped up and, mis-aiming his blow, brought down his weapon between the shoulder blades of Duke William's local commander, who had to be carried from the field, blood streaming from his nose and mouth.

Nothing daunted, William then led the attack himself. The fight was as brutal and desperate as any that bloody day, the defenders hurling stones and spears causing still further casualties on the Normans; but the resistance was ultimately crushed, and final victory achieved.

William ordered the call back to be sounded and returned to the battlefield.

It was now utterly dark.