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William raises his helmet to scotch rumours ofhis death at the crisis of the battle. He seems to wear separate mail sleeves on the forearms. The angle of the helmet suggests it is actually held by its chin

metal tang, then glued over it and probably covered in leather and perhaps bound with thongs. The pommel was slotted over the end of the tang which was then hammered over to secure it.

The repair of a knight’s eąuipment in the field depended on what was damaged and whether a smith or armourer was on hand. In the invasion of England there would be a number of armourers travelling with the host. For small-scale skirmishing it is doubtful whether a skilled technician would be available until the knight returned to his home base or reached another castle.

Mail might tear but still render the garment

straps. On Eustace of Boulogne the square on the chest is visible, as if the ventail has becn loosened to aid identińcation. (Bayeux Tapestry. With special permission of the town of Bayeux)

usable until such time as it could be repaired. It is doubtful if a village smithy would have the type of tools reąuired for the tiny holes and rivets needed to close up links. He could probably beat out a dented helmet, however, until a morę skilled repair could be effected by an armourer. Rents in cloth were probably stitched up by sąuires or, when an army was on the march, by some of the women that accompanied it. Shields, although tough, were not designed for long usage. Viking sagas notę the effects of sharp weapons against shields during formal duels, when the wood was hacked to pieces leaving only the metal bosses intact. Damaged shields would be discarded rather than repaired, only the boss and perhaps any metal fittings or straps being salvaged. Swords were prized items and only an armourer could deal with damage, though again a blacksmith could straighten out a bent weapon temporarily if no swordsmith was to hand.

Whilst speaking of repair it is perhaps worth

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