Sentence:  Wounded and overthrown, the Britons continued their resistance, clung round the legs of the Norman steeds, and cumbered their advance; while their brethren, thrusting with pikes, <WSD>proved</WSD> every joint and crevice of the plate and mail, or grappling with the men-at-arms, strove to pull them from their horses by main force, or beat them down with their bills and Welch hooks. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  To put to the test, to make trial of.