[SunkenCiv]

were there turks at the battle of hastings?

Google

[VanDeKoik]

Reminds me that I need a Time Team marathon.

[frithguild]

were there turks at the battle of hastings?

No, but Elvis was ...

[Rightwing Conspiratr1]

And he added that dowsing had revealed traces of a Turkish-style crossbow on the site...

Dowsing? For crossbows?

[Little Bill]

Anna Komnena states that the Byzantines had never seen a crossbow until their fight with the Normans in the Balkans, during the reign of Alexio, her father.

[mass55th]

Accidentally discovered Time Team on the History International channel several years ago. Unfortunately, they only showed a few episodes, then didn’t show them again. I managed to locate a UK torrent site, and over the years was able to get all 20 seasons plus the specials. I loved this show, and was very disappointed when it ended.

[Boiler Plate]

....these aren't Frenchmen - they've got big noses and skirts.

They were Decatheltes?

[Grimmy]

Some Turk mercs, maybe?

Them Normans got around back in the day. Muslims owned and operated most of Spain. The Normans were HQed in France. Spain and France ain’t all that far apart.

Maybe there were some Turk free booters floating around the AO and got themselves hired by the Norman dudes.

[Redcitizen]

There were Turks there...only long enough to drop the crossbow and ride like heck outta there. ;)