The Saxons The were two main types of Saxon soldier. The house-carls were a small band of about 3000 skilled soldiers who made up the kings bodyguard. They fought on foot with long, heavy battle axes. These axes could split a man in two with one blow. The house-carl swung his axe ehind the left-hand shoulder so that the blow hit the enemy on his unprotected right-hand side. The house-carls wore hauberks for protection. These were coats of mail (armour) made by stitching wore rings together. They were extremely heavy. They also carried long, kite-shaped shields to ward off blows from swords and to stop arrows, stones and other missiles. The housecarls were said to be the finest soldiers in Europe.