Polydor Vergil - Anglica Historia

Meanwhile Duke William of Normandy learned by his spies that the English were occupied with this Norwegian war and that the island’s southern seaboard, where he expected to direct his ships, was not garrisoned. So he immediately loaded his young fighters on the fleet and crossed over to England with more than thirty ships, quicker than all men’s expectation, and landed near a coastal village which they call Hastings (Hastyngum), where he gathered his soldiers and pitched camp. Here he is said to have received an omen of his coming victory. For as soon as he disembarked, he slipped a trifle and planted his foot deep in the sand. Seeing this, a quick-witted soldier said, leaping for joy, “Now, duke, you possess England with a firm footing.” The inhabitants of the nearby places, amazed at the duke’s sudden arrival and seeing such great forced drawn up against themselves, did not hesitate in reporting all these things to the king in a letter, and this sudden development added to his great concern. For he had lost nearly all his strength in the Norwegian war. Likewise, many of his soldier were ill-disposed because the spoils of that war had been divided unfairly. Even if Harald was stung by these things, yet with a high heart (such a man he was) he changed his course when he heard the news, and, gathering his forces, of necessity he returned directly to London and set out against the enemy, his army growing along the way as men who cared for their nation’s safety came flocking to their king. And the Norman, moving camp, came into sight of his enemy, ready to join battle. At this point many sources have it that conditions for a bloodless peace were proposed by both sides, but that both generals, eager to try the fortune of war, scorned these, and likewise that both began to fire their men for the struggle, now exhorting, now warning. And first Harald, summoning his company together, was the first to deliver a harangue of this kind:

“You have heard, my soldiers, that from its very beginning our ancestors did not gain this noble kingdom, nor protect it when it was harried by its neighbors, nor by their virtue increase it to the point that now other peoples dread our power, without great toil and bloodshed. And our neighbors do dread us, daily they beg us for peace. The barbarians envy us, they who, oppressed at home by shortages of all things and greedy for the property of others, are compelled to employ their arms in the manner of bandits rather than according to the laws of just warfare, and to expose themselves to dangers. Thus the Dacians have been opposed to us for many years. Thus (not to mention more examples) the Norwegians recently invaded us, a people descended from the Dacians, whom we have conquered, whom we regard as base to have among us except as our slaves. And now William, a fellow born of a concubine, having scraped together a gang of thieves, is attempting to steal our goods, befoul our kingdom, destroy our nobility. And so I warn you that you be of stout and ready minds, and when you enter into the battle, with God’s good help, you need to bear in mind that the safety of yourselves and the entire English people is in your own right hands. If we conquer, we will free our country from the harm of our enemies forever. If we are overcome (God avert the omen), we shall die for our nation, which is a fine and fair thing.” When he had spoken, each man promised that at the signal he would fearlessly go against the enemy. Likewise the Norman is said to have encouraged his men thus: “Wherever I turn my eyes, you most loyal and brave of men, I see everything full of courage and strength. Not without joy, I behold you, always my sturdy companions in war, you who are like Rollo, the founder of our race, in your virtue. For with great effort he once carved out a dukedome in a hostile land for himself and his posterity, our ancestors expanded it by their strength, and you have made it to flourish greatly. And now, if God favors us, you will add to it England, which is mine, which that right excellent King Edward my kinsman freely bestowed on me. I for my part am not making war on this land, but striving to wrest it from Harald, son of Godwin the traitor, who possesses it wrongfully. And I am seeking to punish him for his oath-breaking, a man who has nothing of faith, nothing of piety, for whicch reasons (it is reasonable to believe) he has long ago incurred the wrath of God Almighty. Therefore the victory is destined to be ours, and the greater our hope for this is, the more keenly you should devote yourself to.

When the minds of soldiers on both sides were inflamed for the fight on both sides, on the last day of September, the armies were led out to battle. First they gave the signal in the ancient way, then a great shout arose and their standards came together. The battle was first fought with arrows and missiles, then swords were drawn. The English, mindful of their ancient virtue, pressed forward vigorously. The Normans resisted, scarce fearful, and they fought with might and main. Harald entered into the forefront with his light horse. Here he aided those of his men who were toiling, substituting fresh men for the weary. Meanwhile the Norman general, seeing the English fight so forcefully, ordered his horse to enter the midst of the fray, so that they might break the enemy ranks. These horsemen fell everywhere, but could not budge the English. Then the duke, most skilled at war, thought the best thing would be to feign flight, and ordered his men gradually to break off the fight and retreat, so that in this way he would disrupt the order of the pursuing ranks. For the English, who were outnumbered, confronted that multitude packed in a close group. And so William, when he saw his men falling back a little, and being pressed by their enemy, eager for a slaughter, stationed part of his horsemen and his footmen who were still fresh in a hidden place a little removed from where the fighting was being done, so that they might encounter the enemy unexpectedly. Then the battle grew hot, and those pretending to turn tail gradually fell back. And the English, thinking victory to be in their grasp, broke ranks and followed after them in confusion, and as they ran they were led to the place where the ambush was set. Here the Normans attacked the English, who were scattered in their dash, formed a circle and, cutting off their avenues of retreat, inflicted a massacre. It is wonderful to tell with what presence of mind and what strength the English resisted, although thrown into confusion and surrounded. They did not leave off fighting, and their king supported their effort, now by exhorting, now by fighting. But after they saw him run through the brain by a missile and falling dead from his horse, then the very few who remained in good condition fled. The rest were slain. William, having gained the victory, was overjoyed, and the following night he is said to have heard a voice in a dream, saying. “You have conquered, William. You and your descendants will reign.” So we sometimes dream of that which we desire. As soon as the following day dawned, they turned to gathering up the spoils and refreshed their toil-wearied bodies. This done, the duke, being eager to take advantage of his victory, marched quickly on London, receiving the panic-stricken islanders’ surrender wherever he he went. But this will be told at the appropriate place in my next Book.