ABSTRACT
There must be, however, an introduction which places the Battle of Hastings in a treble context. The broadest is the context of medieval military history, more specifically its neglect and, worse than neglect, the travesty which is generally made of it. Glover, of course, does not seek to argue for the use of cavalry by Harold at Hastings, which in the light of the abundant evidence to the contrary would be impossible. In terms of military appreciation, we are also surely right to see in Harold's movements before Hastings the intention to repeat the strategy and tactics which had given him such success at Stamford Bridge. If the Carmen de Hastingae Proelio is to be dismissed, then we are confined for detailed contemporary information about the Battle of Hastings itself to William of Poitiers and the Bayeux Tapestry.
