William of Poitiers (Dawson)

Then the long-looked for breeze blowing, hands with voices are raised in joy to Heaven, and at the same time the noise of mutual encouragement : the land is left behind as rapidly as possible, as eagerly as possible the doubtful journey is entered upon. For they are impelled by their feelings to such a pitch of haste that while one is calling on his armour-bearer, anotheron his comrade, most of them, forgetting their retainers or comrades or necessary stores, only think of one thing, not to be left behind, and hasten on board. Yet the zealous impetuosity of the Duke urges and presses any of the ships which he notices are inclined to delay. But in order that they may not reach the coast, (for which they are making), before break of day, and so be exposed to danger in some perilous and unknown roadstead, he issued a proclamation, that when the vessels got out to sea, a little after nightfall, they should all rendezvous, riding at anchor not far from his, until they should see the beacon-light at the mast-head of his ship and immediately after, they would hear the sound of the trumpet, the signal for the voyage. Ancient Greece tells that Agamemnon, son of Atreus, went to avenge the outrage done to his brother's wife with a thousand ships : we bear witness that William sought a royal diadem with more. Greece relates that Xerxes joined by a bridge of boats two cities separated by the Euxine, Sestos and Abydos : we declare that William by the one helm of his authority linked together the whole extent of Norman and English soil. We believe that William who, never conquered by any one, adorned his country with splendid trophies, enriched it with most illustrious triumphs, should be placed for his bravery before Xerxes. So, when after rest for the night the ships set sail, the vessel bearing the Duke speedily left all the others behind, obeying in the resemblance of its speed the orders of the Duke, who was eagerly hastening to the victory. In the morning an oarsman was sent to the top of the mast to see whether he could sight any of the ships following, and reports that nothing occurred to his view but the sea and sky. Forthwith he cast anchor, and" for fear that alarm and sorrow might confound his followers the valiant Duke took a plentiful breakfast not unaccompanied by honeyed wine with noteworthy cheerfulness, just as if he were in his own dining-hall : assuring them that all would be present anon, God, to whose keeping he entrusted them, leading them on. The Mantuan, the Prince of poets, would not think it unbecoming to insert among the praises of Trojan Æneas who, as the parent, was the glory of Ancient Rome, the lightheartedness and purpose of this meal. The lookout man was again called upon, and he exclaims that four ships were approaching, and on the third occ.ision he declared that there were so many, and the sail-bearing masts were so thick that they presented the appearance of a forest. How the expectations of the Duke were thereupon turned to joy, how from the bottom of his heart he glorified the Divine mercy, we leave any one to conjecture.

Having been carried to Pevensey by a prosperous wind he disembarked without opposition, meeting with no armed resistance. The Normans, who were glad when they reached the shore, first of all fortified and occupied Pevensey, and then fortified and occupied Hastings : to serve as places of retreat for themselves and of safety for their ships. Marius or Pompey the Great both renowned men, deserved their triumphs on account of their skilfulness and activity : the former, for having brought Jugurtha to Rome in chains ; the latter for having forced Mithridates to take poison ; those having gone into hostile territory, would be afraid, while leading a whole army, and be slow to put themselves in danger with a jobs single legion apart from the whole host. It was their habit, and it is the custom of all leaders, to direct, not to go as scouts : more to preserve their own lives than to preserve their skill for the good of the army. But William quickly explored the places, and the inhabitants himself, accompanied by a band of not more than twenty-five soldiers. Returning from this on foot, on account of the roughness of the by-paths, performing a feat which has its comical side, yet gave opportunity for serious praise, although the reader perchance may laugh at it ; carrying upon his shoulder the corslet of his attendant, fastened to his own, he then at the same time relieved of his iron burden William Fitz Osborn, a man as much renowned for his strength as for his courage. A certain rich inhabitant of those parts, a Norman by nation, Robert, the son of Guymara (Wimara),a woman of noble birth, sent a message to Hastings to the Duke, his lord and kinsman, in these words : " King Harold having fought with his own brother and with the King of Norway (than whom it was thought no braver man lived under heaven), slew them both in one battle, and destroyed their immense army. Being animated by that success, he quickly returns to you, leading a very numerous and strong people, against which I consider that your soldiers are of no more good than just so many despicable dogs. You are thought to be a prudent man, and you have hitherto done everything prudently, both at home and in war. Now look to yourself; be cautious, and take care, lest by your rashness of judgment you run into some danger from which you cannot escape. I advise you remain within your fortifications, and at present do not come to a hand-to-hand fight." In reply the Duke said to the messenger: "I thank your master for that message in which he wishes me to be cautious, although it would have become him to advise me without his contumely ; and give him this answer. I would not protect myself by a pallisade or behind walls ; but I would fight with Harold as soon as possible, and doubt not that he and his will be crushed by the bravery of my men, if the Will of God does not prevent it, even had I only ten thousand of such good soldiers as are the sixty thousand I have brought with me."

But one day, whilst the Duke was looking after the safety of the ships, and was walking about the harbour, he was told that a monk had come as a messenger from Harold. He at once met him, with this ingenious address: "I am in the confidence," he begins, "of William, Duke of Normandy, and am his High Steward. You will not get permission to speak with him except through me, so tell me what message you bring. He will willingly hear it from me, for he likes none of his retainers better than me. Hereafter, at the proper season, thanks to me, as you wish you shall speak to him openly." Having heard the message that the monk delivered, the duke, without hesitation, ordered the messenger to be received as a guest, and to be looked after with zealous kindness. Meanwhile he deliberated with himself and his councillors, what answer he should give. On the morrow, reclining in the midst of his nobles, he said to the cowled advocate: "I am William, by the grace of God, Chief of the Normans. Repeat now, in the presence of these, what you said to me yesterday." The messenger spake thus:  "King Harold sends you this message. You have invaded his country, although he does not know on what pretext you rely, nor why you should be so rash. He, indeed, remembers that King Edward formerly decreed that you should be heir of his English Kingdom, and that he gave you security in Normandy for that succession. He knows, however, that by right this very kingdom is his, as it was left to him as a gift by the same King, his lord, in his last moments. And from that period when Saint Augustine came to this country, it has been the common custom of this nation, that any donation made by any oneon his death bed, is held to be unalterable. Wherefore he calls upon you justly to quit this country with your soldiers. Otherwise he will break his friendship and all treaties that he made with you in Normandy, forsaking altogether the bond between you and him." Having heard Harold's mandate, the Duke asked the monk whether he would bring his messenger to Harold in safety. He undertook to take care of his safety, as of his own. The Duke on the spot dictated these words to a monk of Fecamp, which he was to take to Harold immediately. "I have not come to this country without good reason or justice, but advisedly and under the guidance of equity, as Harold himself confesses that my lord and relative, King Edward, made me heir thereof, on account of the very great honours and very many benefits that I and my nobles bestowed upon him and his brother and their followers: and because he thought me the most excellent of all those who were connected with his race, and could best assist him while he lived, and govern the kingdom after his death. Nor indeed did he do that without the consent of his nobles, and by the advice of the Archbishop Stigand, of Earl Godwin, of Earl Leofric, and of Earl Sigard, who had confirmed their oath between his hands, that after Edward's death they would receive me as their lord, and that they would in no way attempt, during his lifetime, to have the country occupied by any obstacle put in my way. He gave me Godwin's son and nephew as hostages, and at last he sent Harold himself to Normandy, that he, being present, might swear there, in my presence, what his father and the others, named above, had here sworn to me in my absence. Whilst he was coining to me he was in danger of being captured, from which I delivered him by my prudence and courage. He gave himself to me by his own hands, and with his own hand gave me my security for the kingdom of England. I am here present to have the cause against him tried by law, which he prefers, Norman law or English. If, according to true justice, the Normans or English determine that, by law, he ought to possess this kingdom, then let him possess it in peace. But if they agree that it ought rightfully to be restored to me as a just debt, let him give it over to me. But if he refuses this condition, I do not think it right that either my men or his ought to fall in battle, as they are not to blame for our quarrel. Behold, I am ready to assert, by my head against his head, that the kingdom of England belongs by right to me, rather than to him.' " We wish that the real meaning of the Duke's words may be brought before the eyes of the multitude rather than our statement oi them, because we wish him to be praised by the perpetual favour of the multitude. It will be easily inferred, from the real meaning of his words, that he was truly prudent, just, pious, and brave. For the number of his arguments, which it is quite clear, not even the eloquence of the greatest Roman author, Tullius (Cicero), could have weakened destroyed Harold's arguments. Lastly, he was ready to accept the decision which the law of nations would give : he did not wish the English to die as his enemies, on account of his quarrel ; and he wished to settle the matter by single combat between them, at the risk of his own life alone." When, therefore, that message was given by the monk to Harold as he drew near, he grew pale from amazement, and was speechless for a long time, as though he had lost his tongue. The messenger asked him for a reply to his message, not once but twice also. He replied to the first demand, "We go immediately"; and to the second, "We go for the prize". The messenger insisted that there should be another answer, repeating: 'The Norman Duke does not desire the destruction of the armies, but single combat.' For that prompt and good man wished to take back, by way of reply, some just and genial message, and did not wish many to die: for he felt confident that Harold's head would fall off, as he had less strength, and no justice (on his side). Then Harold, lifting up his face towards heaven, said: " May the Lord decide to-day, what is just between William and me." For, being blinded by the desire of ruling, and at the same time forgetting his wrongs, through his fears, he wished for a just judge in spite of his own ruin.

An old writer, describing that army of Harold, would have said that, as it passed, rivers were drunk dry, and forests levelled to the ground ; for from all parts of England very large forces had assembled. Some displayed their zeal for Harold ; all for that fatherland which, though unjustly, they were eager to defend against the foreigners. The kindred land of the Danes had also sent them numerous auxiliaries. But, not daring to fight with William on level ground, fearing him more than the king of the Norsemen, they first occupied the higher ground, a hill bordering upon the forest through which they had come. Straightway dismounting, they all posted themselves on foot in a dense mass. In the meanwhile some of the most experienced horsemen, whom the Duke had sent to reconnoitre, returned soon, and announced that the enemy was upon them. The furious King was making all the more haste, since he had heard that the neighbourhood of the Norman camp had been devastated, he even thought to overwhelm them, when they would be somewhat off their guard, by a sudden nocturnal attack, and, so that they might not escape to a place of safety, he opposed their strategy by an armed fleet of seventy ships. The Duke immediately ordered all who were in the camp (for the greater part of his men had gone foraging on that day) to be armed. He himself being present at the sacrament of the mass, with the greatest devotion, fortified his body and soul by receiving the Body and Soul of the Lord. He also hung humbly about his neck the relics whose favour Harold had alienated from himself by violating the promise he h.id given when he swore by them. Two bishops who had accompanied him from Normandy, were present : Odo, of Bayeux, and Godfrey, of Coutances, together with many clergy and a few monks. That body prepared itself to fight by means of prayer. Another man would have been frightened by the fact of his breast-plate being put on hind part before as he was being armed, He, however, laughed at this reversing as an accident, and was not frightened at it as a portent of evil.

We do not doubt that his speech, which, on account of the shortness of the time, was brief as the crisis required, was excellent, and added much to the bravery of his soldiers, although it has not been given to us in all its grandeur. He reminded the Normans that in many and great dangers they had always been victorious under his leadership. He reminded all of their country, of their noble deeds, and of their great name. Now they must show by their arms how powerful they were by their bravery, and what a spirit they had. It was not the question now who should live and reign, but who should escape from imminent danger with his life. If they lought like men they would acquire victorv, glory, and wealth. Otherwise they would either be speedily butchered, or be taken prisoners and be a sport to their most cruel enemies, and, in addition to this infamy, they would incur eternal disgrace. There were no means of flight, for, on the one side, arms and an hostile and unknown country blocked their way, and on the other arms and the sea. It did not become real men to be frightened by mere numbers. Over and over again the English had fallen, overthrown by the hostile steel and had frequently come under the power of the enemy : they had never been praised for military glory. Those who were unskilled in war could easily be crushed by the prompt valour of a few, especially when Divine aid would not be wanting in a just cause. Let them, therefore, be brave and not yield, and they would all the more quickly rejoice in victory.

Now he advances in the following admirable order, the standard which the Pope had sent him, going in front. Next he placed his footmen armed with crossbows and arrows ; in the second line, heavier infantry with cuirasses ; and lastly, the troops of cavalry in the centre of which he was himself with the flower of his troops, to give directions to the whole army with hand and voice. . . . The Duke with his men, undismayed by the roughness of the ground, gradually ascended the steep sides of the hill. The dreadful din of the trumpets on both sides gave the signal for the fight ; the Normans' ready daring commenced the battle. Just as when, in a court of law, a case of rapine is tried, he, who lays the charge, first strikes witli his speech. So the Norman footmen, getting closer, challenge the English, and with their missiles [hurled] upon them deal wounds and death. The [English], on the other hand, resist bravely, to the best of their ability. They hurl spears and various sorts of weapons, deadly axes and stones fastened to pieces of wood. You would have thought that our men wire being overwhelmed by them as by some deadly avalanche. Up come the cavalry, and they who were in the rear now form the van. To fight from afar is foul shame : they dare to engage with the sword, in hand-to-hand combat. The shouting, loud as loud can be, of the Normans on this side, and the barbarians on that, is drowned by the clash of arms and by the groans of the dying. So, for some time, did both sides fight with might and main. The English are helped greatly by the advantage of the higher ground which they hold without stirring an inch, and closely packed together ; they are helped too by the enormous numbers and brave presence ; and also by their weapons of battle, which easily find their way through shields and bucklers and the like. Very stoutly therefore they withstand or repel those who dared to attack them with drawn swords ; they wound too even those who shoot darts at them from afar. Lo and behold you ! terrified by their fierceness, the infantry and cavalry of Britanny simultaneously, and all the auxiliaries on the left wing are put to flight : almost the whole of the Duke's army falls back : if one may say so, pace the Normans, the most invincible of ... men. The Normans believed that their Duke and lord had fallen : they did not therefore cease from their disgraceful flight, a flight to be the less deplored, as it was the greatest of blessings to them. For the commander, observing that the greater portion of the opposing army had sallied out, and was pursuing his retreating troops, ran to meet and stop the fugitives, striking or threatening them with his spear, and baring his head moreover and removing his helmet, he exclaimed, "Behold me ! ", he says, "I am alive and will conquer, God helping. What madness suggests flight to you ? What way of escape lies open to you ? Those whom you can cut down like so many sheep are beating you off and slaying you. You are deserting victory and undying glory, and are rushing to destruction and eternal shame. Not one of you can avoid death by running away." Hearing this they took heart again. He first rushes forward with his sword flashing as the lightning flashes, and mowed down the confronting host which, rebelling against him, their king, deserved their death The eager Normans, outflanking several thousands that had followed them, annihilated them in a moment, so that not even one survived. Encouraged thereby, they attacked with more vehemence the main body of the army, which, although it had sustained a terrible loss, did not seem to be less in numbers. The English boldly opposed them with all their strength, striving especially, not to allow the enemy any ingress. So densely were they packed that not even the slain could fall to the ground. At last, from different sides, a way was cut into their ranks by the swords of the bravest. On them pressed Cenomanians, French, Bretons, Aquitanians, but, where all were valiant, the Normans were most valiant of all. A young Norman soldier, Robert, son i of Roger de Beaumont, seeing battle for the first time that day, did deeds deserving of everlasting fame ; rushing in with the company he led on the right wing, and dealing i havoc all round with the utmost boldness. It is not within our power, nor is it our intention to celebrate worthily the brave deeds of individual warriors. One blessed with the noblest powers of speech, if he had been an eye-witness of that battle, could scarce describe each single feat. We hasten from the fight in order that, when we have finished the praises of William the Duke, we may write of the glory of William the King.

The Normans and their allies, perceiving that so powerful an enemy, so long as they offered an undivided resistance, could not be overcome without enormous loss to themselves, turned their backs, or purposely pretending to flee. They remembered how, but a little before, flight had given them the opportunity of effecting their desired purpose. The delight of the barbarians rose high with their hopes of victory. Encouraging one another with shouts of exultation, they assailed our men with curses, and threatened them one and all with death upon the spot. A few thousands, as before, dared, as though they had wings to their feet, to press upon the foe that they thought was fleeing. The Normans, suddenly wheeling round on horseback, cut them off and shut them in on every side, and slew them, sparing no one. Having twice made use of this stratagem with equal success, they attacked the rest with greater vigour, a host still formidable and almost impossible to outflank. The action that ensued was unusual in kind : the one side making inroads and movements in all directions, the other remaining as if rooted to the ground. The English grow weaker, and, as if confessing their guilt by their defeat, offer no resistance to the vengeance of the victor. The Normans shoot arrows, strike, pierce : the dead, as they fall, seem to have more movement in them than the living ; the slightly wounded were not allowed to escape ; the close press of their fellows crusheth them to death. Thus, good luck helped to hasten William's triumph.

There took part in the battle Eustace Count of Boulogne, William, son of Richard Count of Evreux, Geoffrey, son of Rostron Count of Mortain, William Fitz Osbern, Almeric Viscount of Thouars, Walter Giffard, Hugh de Montfort, Ralph of Toesny, Hugh de Grantmaisnil, William of Warren ; and very many other famous warriors whose names should be commended in the volumes of history as mighty men of war ; but William, their leader, so excelled them in bravery and caution, that by some he is deservedly preferred, by others compared, to those ancient Greek and Roman generals who are most highly praised in history. Nobly did he lead his men, staying their flight, giving them courage, and sharing all their dangers ; more often calling upon them to follow him than bidding them to advance; whence it is clearly to be understood that his valour in the van gave courage to his soldiers and the path to follow. Numbers of the enemy, absolutely unscathed, lost heart at the sight of that marvellous and terrible soldier. Three horses fell under him. Thrice did he spring up undaunted, nor did the death of his charger remain long unavenged. Here might be seen his agility ; here his strength of body and mind. He pierced shields, helmets, and breastplates through with 'that angry sword which brooked no delay ; he crushed several with his shield (buckler). Marvelling athis prowesson foot, several of his soldiers, severely wounded, revived again ; and some, whose strength failed from loss of blood, leaning upon their shields, fought bravely, or, when they could do nothing else, urged on their comrades by voice and gesture, imploring them to follow their leader boldly and not let the victory slip out of their hands. He himself helped and saved many.

With Harold a Hector or Turnus of the poets' description William would no more dread to fight in single combat than Achilles dreaded to fight with Hector, or Æneas with Turnus. Tydeus died praying for a rock to help him against his fifty ambushed foes ; William, on fair ground , would not alone have feared a thousand. The author of the Thebais or the Æneid, poets' who after the manner of poets, of great deeds write still greater things, might compose, proclaiming only the truth on the prowess of this hero, as great a work and one far worthier than their own. Indeed, if they could celebrate him in verse befitting the dignity of the subject, their pens would translate him to the ranks of their own gods. But let our humble prose, purposing to celebrate his piety in the worship of the true God, who alone is God from everlasting and world without end, bring to a brief and truthful close the account of the battle in which he conquered as justly as bravely.

As the day was drawing to its close, the English army saw clearly that it could no longer stand against the Normans. They knew that their numbers had been lessened by the destruction of many companies ; that the King and his brothers, and some of the great nobles had fallen ; that the survivors were all but exhausted; that there were no reinforcements to hope for. They saw that the Norman losses had not much impaired their ranks, and that the enemy, as though their numbers increased with the fighting, were pressing on more vigorously than at first ; that, such was the sternness of the Duke that he spared none who withstood him ; such was his bravery that it could only be at rest in victory. Accordingly, taking to flight, they went off in all directions, some on horseback, some on foot, some taking to the roads, most by bye-paths. Those who were struggling, or who, rising, were unable to escape, were wallowing in blood ; to some the eager desire for life gave strength. Many remained in the lonely woods, mere corpses ; more, sunk down to die on the high roads, were a hindrance to the pursuers. The Normans, although unacquainted with the country, pursued anxiously, slaying the guilty fugitives and putting the last touch to the success of the day. The hoofs of the horses too, as they trampled over the fallen, wreaked vengeance upon the dying. At last the fugitives regained confidence to renew the fight, having an excellent position on the steep side of a hill defended by numerous entrenchments. The English, as a people, have always been swift to fight, by their nature, the real descendants of the old Saxons, the fiercest of men. They would only have been defeated under the pressure of the strongest force. How easily did they lately conquer the king of the Norsemen, though he had a large and powerful army'upon which to rely ! But the leader of the victorious hosts, seeing the companies collecting thus unexpectedly, although he thought that reinforcements were freshly arriving, turned not from his march, nor halted, but, more terrible with his broken spear than a troop brandishing long lances, he bade in a loud voice Count Eustace, who was turning away with fifty horsemen, and eager to sound the recall, not to depart. He, on the other hand, took the liberty to suggest to the Duke to return, declaring that it was speedy death if he advanced. As Eustace was thus speaking he was struck with a blow that gave a sound between his shoulders, the force of which was shown by a stream of blood that gushed out from his nose and mouth, and was carried off half dead by his companions. The Duke, disdaining any fear or disgrace, advanced and crushed his opponents. In this action several noble Normans fell, their courage being hampered by the precipitous character of the country. Thus the victory was consummated, and he returned to the battle-field and saw the scene of slaughter, which he looked upon not without commiseration : although the victims of the slaughter were ungodly foes, although to slay a tyrant is a glorious deed of fair renown and pleasing benefit.