William the Conqueror: 1061 to 1066

English phalanx

Harold's men continue to arrive on the crest of the hill in front of you; meanwhile, your vanguard (the French division, with the Manceaux, Boulognnais and other smaller contingents), have formed their ranks according to plan: archers and crossbowmen in the front line, spearmen behind, and in the rear line, the mounted knights. This division then advances through the pass between the two marshy areas on the east and west, and moves off to the right, taking station below the English left wing.

The rest of your army comes down the north-facing slope of Telham hill and forms line on the other side of the pass: you with your Normans in the center, and the Bretons on the left. Above you the English are making a din, shouting "Out! Out! Out!" in time to the clashing of their weapons on shields. The two armies are now formed for battle facing each other across approximately 200 yards of open ground.
You worry that perhaps Harold will attack down the hill as your army is forming, but he remains in a solid, deep line up there on the ridge and watches while you deploy.