The army consisted of cavalry, or knights, and foot soldiers. The
former were almost wholly Normans. They wore armor similar to that
used by the Saxons. It is represented in the pictures of the Bayeux
Tapestry (S75, 155), and appears to have consisted of leather or stout
linen, on which pieces of bone, or scales, or rings of iron were
securely sewed. Later, these rings of iron were set up edgewise, and
interlinked, or the scales made to overlap. The helmet was pointed,
and had a piece in front to protect the nose. The shield was long and
kite-shaped.
The weapons of this class of soldiers consisted of a lance and a
double-edged sword. The foot soldiers wore little or no armor and
fought principally with long bows. In case of need, the King could
probably muster about ten thousand knights, or armed horsemen, and
a much larger force of foot soldiers. Under the Norman kings the
principal wars were insurrections against William I, the various
revolts of the barons, and the civil war under Stephen.