Who were the house carls and fyrd in Harolds army?

In Harold Godwinson's army during the 1066 Anglo-Saxon period, housecarls were elite, professional soldiers who served as the king's personal bodyguards. They were well-trained and heavily armed, often fighting with axes and shields, and were loyal to their lord. In contrast, the fyrd was a militia composed of common freemen who could be called upon to defend their territory, typically less experienced and equipped than the housecarls. Together, these groups formed the backbone of Harold's forces during the battles against the Norman invasion.