The Norman Armies

William of Poitier gave a figure of about 60,000 Normans and implied that Harold had many more. Historians are rightly skeptical about the numbers cited by contemporary chroniclers. Most modern historians have concluded that the numbers on both sides were fairly balanced. Prisoners were not taken in line with Anglo-Sandonavian practice. Leaders and participants were slaughtered rather than captured and ransomed. William was able to reallocate their land to reward his followers after the battle.