While there is sound evidence of extensive settlement in England by people of Norman, Breton and Flemish origin after 1066, the fact remains that the names of only 15 men who were with Duke William at the battle can be found in reliable sources.
"[9]"With a harsh voice he (Duke William) called to Eustace of Boulogne, who with 50 knights was turning in flight and was about to give the signal for retreat.
But at the very moment when he uttered the words Eustace was struck between the shoulders with such force that blood gushed out from his mouth and nose and half dead he only made his escape with the aid of his followers.
"There were present in this battle: Eustace, Count of Boulogne; William, son of Richard, Count of Evreux; Geoffrey, son of Rotrou, Count of Mortagne; William FitzOsbern; Haimo, Vicomte of Thouars; Walter Giffard; Hugh of Montfort-sur-Risle; Rodulf of Tosny; Hugh of Grantmesnil; William of Warenne, and many other most renowned warriors whose names are worthy to be commemorated in histories among the bravest soldiers of all time.
")[13]These five were agreed upon by both David C. Douglas and Geoffrey H. White and are from the Complete Peerage XII-1, Appendix L. Since the time of these lists, J. F. A. Mason in the English Historical Review adds one additional name:
Companions of the Conqueror fighting at Hastings, as depicted in the
Bayeux Tapestry
. The Duke is on the right, and shows his face to encourage his followers. Legend above:
Hic Est Dux Wilel(mus)
("Here is Duke William.") At the left is
Bishop Odo
. Legend above:
Hic Odo Eps (Episcopus) Baculu(m) Tenens,
"Here (is) Odo the Bishop holding a club" (see detail below). To the far right, holding a standard, is Eustace, Count of Boulogne (see detail below), with legend above, in upper margin:
E[...]TIUS
, standing for
Eustatius
, a Latinised version of "Eustace".
[
1
]
The figure is said by others to be
Turstin FitzRolf
, said by
Orderic Vitalis
to have carried the Norman standard:
Turstinus filius Rollonis vexillum Normannorum portavit,
"Turstin son of Rollo carried the standard of the Normans," The Tapestry however depicts it as the Papal Banner, a cross, granted to the Duke by
Pope Alexander II
to signify papal approval of the
Conquest of England
.
This knight depicted in the Bayeux Tapestry (detail of above) appears below the marginal legend
E[...]tius
, a
Latinised
version of Eustace. He has therefore been identified as Eustace, Count of Boulogne.
[
3
]
His finger pointing to Duke William seems to depict his urging the Duke to retreat, as the account in William of Poitiers relates. However, others state the figure to be Turstin FitzRolf, due to its carrying of a standard depicting a cross, apparently the Papal Banner. Turstin was described as having carried the "Standard of the Normans", by Orderic Vitalis.
Odo, Bishop of Bayeux, fighting at Hastings, holding a club. Legend above:
Hic Odo Eps (Episcopus) Baculu(m) Tenens Confortat Pueros,
"Here Odo the Bishop holding a club gives strength to the boys." The club may reflect his clerical status which might have precluded the shedding of blood by sword,
[
6
]
yet in the same scene Duke William himself also holds a club (Bayeux Tapestry)
