who promised to guarantee his Norman dominicfns du ring his absence ; and by Pope Alexander II. who sent him a consecrated banner, and a ring with one of St Peter's hairs in it.
William, in order to divert Harold's attention from his own preparations, and to embarrass his affairs the more, excited Tosti, and Halfagar, king of Norway, to make a descent upon England. This they did with a considerable army, and overran all the northern parts of the kingdom. They were first opposed by the Dukes of Northumberland and \lercia, whom they defeated and put to flight ; but Harold having hastily collected an army, engaged them at Standford. The Norwegi ans made a most obstinate resistance, but were at last totally routed. Tosti and Halfagar fell in the action; and the Norwegian fleet became the spoil of the con queror. Prince Olave, the son of Halfagar, however, was generously restored to liberty, and allowed to de part with 20 vessels.
The news of this defeat spread the greatest joy throughout the kingdom ; but their joy was soon re pressed by the intelligence, that the Duke of Norman dy had landed in Sussex with a formidable army of 60,000 men. William had been some time detained by contrary winds; but, as Harold had dismissed his fleet, on receiving false intelligence that William had discontinued his preparations, he met with no other obstacles in his voyage. Ile quietly disembarked, and prepared for the arrival of the enemy.
The victory of Standford had so weakened the Eng lish army, that it may be regarded as the cause of Ha rold's subsequent overthrow. He had lost many of his bravest officers and soldiers, whose place he could sup ply only with raw and undisciplined troops, little capa ble of resisting the discipline and valour of the Nor mans. Elated, however, with success, and relying Wit the confidence and bravery of his subjects, he hasten ed forward to meet his new invader. His brother Gurth remonstrated with him on the danger of staking his fortune on the issue of a battle, while he had easier means of victory in his power. It was depriving him self of those very advantages which he possessed over the invader. He was in the midst of his resources, surrounded and beloved by his people; while the des perate situation of the enemy required a speedy termi nation to the contest. The Norman leader possessed the greatest military talents, and his troops had been long familiar with conquest. Their valour and disci pline rendered them more formidable than their num bers ; and, as they had full confidence in the abilities of their chief, they would fight to the last extremi ty. But if their ardour was allowed to cool for want of action; if they were harassed with skirmishes, and straitened in provisions, they would be compelled to retire, or fall an easy and bloodless prey. If, how ever, he was determined upon an engagement, he en treated him not to risk his own person, and thus de prive his country of its chief resource in resisting a foreign dominion.
Harold was deaf to persuasion, and approached the Norman camp at Hastings. He offered NVilliam a sum of money if he would depart the kingdom. William returned, that he must resign the kingdom, or hold it of him in fealty, or submit his cause to the pope, or fight him in single combat. Harold replied, that the god of battles would determine their differences.
The hostile armies were encamped in sight of each other during the night, and waited with anxiety for the return of day. The English passed the night with
songs and feasting ; the Normans in silence and prayer. The dawn of morning beheld both armies in battle ar ray. William harrangued his soldiers on the greatness of the prize for which they were to contend; and re presented to them the inevitable destruction which awaited them, should they fail of success. his army was divided into three lines: the first, consisting of archers and light-armed infantry, was led by Roger de Montgomery ; the second, composed of heavy-armed battalions, was commanded by Charles Martel ; while he placed himself at the head of the cavalry. They advanced to the attack, singing the song of Roland. Harold had drawn up his army on a rising ground, and had secured his flank by deep trenches. He com manded on -foot the Kentish men, who were placed in the van, and encouraged his troops, by sharing with them the post of danger. He was resolved to stand upon the defensive, and avoid if possible all action with the cavalry, in which he was very inferior. The Norman cross-bows at first dreadfully galled the Eng lish ; but as they came into closer action, the English bills mowed down their ranks, and checked the fury of their onset. The combat was long and desperate, and disputed with equal bravery on both sides. The Nor mans at length began to give way ; William saw the imminence of his danger, and hastened with fresh forces to the support of his retreating bands. His presence revived the courage of his followers, and the Eng lish were in their turn compelled to retire. Aided, however, by the advantage of the ground, and animat ed by the voice and example of their king, who had toiled all day in the front of the battle, they renew ed the fight, and the Normans were falling in great numbers. William, finding that he could make no im pression on the enemy's position, ordered his troops to make a sudden retreat, and deceive them by the ap pearance of a flight. The artifice succeeded. The English followed them to the plain, when the Normans suddenly facing about, and attacking them in .both flanks with their cavalry, drove them back with great slaughter. They were again rallied by the bravery of their prince; and though William repeated the same stratagem with success, yet the English were en abled still to maintain themselves in firm array, and seemed determined to dispute the victory to the last. But the death of Harold, who was slain by an arrow while fighting in the foremost ranks, decided the battle in favour of the Normans. The English were dispi rited by the loss of their brave but unfortunate leader, and gave way on all sides. The victorious invaders followed up their success with dreadful slaughter ; but darkness soon put an end to their bloodshed. In this memorable action, the Normans lost 15,000 warriors, and the duke had three horses killed under him. The loss of the English was still more considerable; besides the death of their king and his two brothers. The bo dy of Harold could scarcely be distinguished among the heaps of slain. It was brought to William, who re stored it without ransom to his mother. The Normans gave thanks to heaven for their victory on the field of battle; and immediately prepared to improve, to the ut most, the advantage which they had gained.