Editing Battle of Hastings (section)

===Dispositions of forces and tactics===
[[File:Battle of Hastings, 1066.png|thumb|left|Battle dispositions]]
Harold's forces deployed in a small, dense formation at the top of a steep slope,<ref name=Gravett59/> with their flanks protected by woods and marshy ground in front of them.<ref name=Bennett40/> The line may have extended far enough to be anchored on a nearby stream.<ref name=Lawson190>Lawson ''Battle of Hastings'' pp. 190–191</ref> The English formed a shield wall, with the front ranks holding their shields close together or even overlapping to protect from attack.<ref name=Gravett64/> Sources differ on the exact site at which the English fought: some sources state the site of the abbey,<ref name=Hare84>Hare ''Battle Abbey'' p. 11</ref><ref name=EngHer05Oct2016>English Heritage ''Research on Battle Abbey and Battlefield''</ref><ref name=BattlefieldsTrust05Oct2016>Battlefields Trust ''Battle of Hastings''</ref> but some newer sources suggest it was Caldbec Hill.<ref name=Lawson190/><ref name=Gravett59/>

More is known about the Norman deployment.<ref name=Lawson192>Lawson ''Battle of Hastings'' p. 192</ref> William appears to have arranged his forces in three groups, or "battles", which roughly corresponded to their origins. The left units were the [[Breton people|Bretons]],<ref name=Bennett41/> along with those from [[County of Anjou|Anjou]], [[Poitou]] and [[Maine (province)|Maine]]. This division was led by [[Alan Rufus|Alan the Red]], a relative of the Breton count.<ref name=Gravett64>Gravett ''Hastings'' p. 64</ref> The centre was held by the Normans,<ref name=Bennett41/> under the direct command of William and with many of his relatives and kinsmen grouped around the ducal party.<ref name=Gravett64/> The final division, on the right, consisted of the Frenchmen,<ref name=Bennett41/> along with some men from [[Picardy]], [[Boulogne-sur-Mer|Boulogne]], and [[County of Flanders|Flanders]]. The right was commanded by [[William fitzOsbern]] and Count [[Eustace II, Count of Boulogne|Eustace II of Boulogne]].<ref name=Gravett64/> The front lines were made up of archers, with a line of foot soldiers armed with spears behind.<ref name=Bennett41/> There were probably a few crossbowmen and slingers in with the archers.<ref name=Gravett64/> The cavalry was held in reserve,<ref name=Bennett41>Bennett ''Campaigns of the Norman Conquest'' p. 41</ref> and a small group of clergymen and servants situated at the base of Telham Hill was not expected to take part in the fighting.<ref name=Gravett64/>

William's disposition of his forces implies that he planned to open the battle with archers in the front rank weakening the enemy with arrows, followed by infantry who would engage in close combat. The infantry would create openings in the English lines that could be exploited by a cavalry charge to break through the English forces and pursue the fleeing soldiers.<ref name=Gravett64/>