And this, led by William himself, appears to have held the position of a reserve:-- "E jo, od totes mes granz genz, Et od amiz et od parenz, Me cumbatrai par la grant presse, U la bataille iert plus engresse[180]." The battle was opened by the archers:-- "Cil a piè aloient avant Serréement, lor ars portant." The charge of the horse, as is well known, was preceded by the feat of Taillefer, to whom the duke had accorded the privilege of striking the first blow. The charge of the knights was at this time, and long after, made in a single line, or _en haie_, as it was called; the attack in squadrons being a much later practice. The Normans acted against their opponents as well by the weight of the horse as by dint of weapons. One knight-- "Assalt Engleiz o grant vigor Od la petrine du destrier: En fist maint li jor tresbuchier, Et od l'espée, al redrecier, Véissiez bien Baron aidier."--_Line_ 13491. Another-- "----un Engleis ad encuntré, Od li cheval l'a si hurté, Ke mult tost l'a acraventé, Et od li piez tot défolé[181]."--_Line_ 13544. Spare horses and arms are provided for distinguished leaders:-- "Li Dus fist chevals demander: Plusors en fist très li[182] mener. Chescun out à l'arçon devant Une espée bone pendant. E cil ki li chevals menerent Lances acérées porterent."--_Line_ 12699. In the crusades, the European knights occasionally, though very rarely, contended on foot; and the Princess Anna Comnena remarks that the French men-at-arms, so terrible on horseback, are little dangerous when dismounted[183]. To disorder the enemy's ranks by a simulated flight appears to have been a favourite stratagem of the Normans. Duke William Sans-peur used this device against the Germans before Rouen:-- "Li Normanz par voisdie[184] s'en alerent fuiant, Por fere desevrer cels ki vindrent devant; Et Alemanz desrengent, si vont esperonant: As portes de Roen la vindrent randonant[185]." _Wace_, l. 3972. The similar incident of the battle of Hastings is in the recollection of all:-- "Normanz aperchurent è virent Ke Engleiz si se desfendirent E si sunt fort por els desfendre, Peti poeint sor els prendre: Privéement unt cunseillié, Et entrels unt aparaillié, Ke des Engleiz s'esluignereient, E de fuir semblant fereient."--_Line_ 13311.