Preface

The appearance of this volume has been delayed for a considerable time in order to obtain for it a special advantage, namely an accurate military ground-plan of the battle-field of Senlac. For this my best thanks are owing to Colonel Sir Henry James, R.E. and to Captain Edward R. James, R.E. I had, on June 2nd, the great advantage of a final examination of the battle-ground in company with Captain James and Mr. Bryce. My account of the battle was then already printed, but I am glad to say that our examination led only to one or two small changes which I have made in the Additions and Corrections. Captain James has had the kindness to put my ideas of the battle, as drawn from the original writers, into scientific military shape. He is not responsible for my historical view of the battle, neither am I responsible for such purely military points as the extent and arrangement of the palisade. The relative position of the different divisions in the two armies seems beyond doubt, but the extent of ground occupied by each division must be matter of pure conjecture. The one absolutely certain point is the position of the English Standard and the fact that it was against that point that the main attack under William himself was made.

Besides my great obligations to Sir Henry James and Captain James, I am no less indebted to His Grace the Duke of Cleveland for the free and repeated access which he has allowed me to all parts of the battle-field, a large part of which lies within his private grounds at Battle Abbey. Without this kindness on his Grace’s part no satisfactory account of the battle could have been written. I owe deep thanks also to my two companions at Stamfordbridge, Archdeacon Jones and Mr. J. R. Green, of whom Mr. Green also accompanied me on one of my visits to Senlac, as well as to many of the places described in Normandy and Maine. I have also to thank Mr. Dawkins for much valuable advice with regard to the map of the Campaign of Hastings, and M. Le Gost-Clerisse of Caen for his kind and valuable guidance to the field of Varaville. Neither must I forget the good-humoured readiness which Mr. H. O. Coxe has so often shown in verifying references in the Bodleian Library, and the benefit of unrestrained resort on all questions to Professor Stubbs may be taken for granted at every stage of every undertaking of mine. And there are others whose names cannot well appear in print to whom I am also indebted for much ready and zealous help in many ways.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XI.
THE ELECTION OF HAROLD.
January 5th–April 6th, 1066.
A. D.		PAGE
1065–1066	Preeminent importance of the year 1066	3–5
§ 1. Sickness and Death of Eadward. December 28, 1065–January 5, 1066.
	National anxiety as to the succession; state of the royal line	5–7
	Position of Eadgar, Harold, William, and Tostig	7
	Importance of Eadward’s dying recommendation	8
December 28–January 5	Progress of Eadward’s illness	9
	He recovers his speech; his vision and prophecy	9–13
	Question of the succession; Eadward names Harold as his successor	14
	His last directions and wishes	14–16
January 5	His death; English spirit of his last days	16–19
§ 2. The Election and Coronation of Harold. January 5–6, 1066.
January 5	Vacancy of the throne; the Witan meet and elect Harold	19–21
	Position of Harold; he accepts the Crown	22–26
January 6	Double rites of the Epiphany; necessity for a speedy burial and coronation	27
	Burial of Eadward; position of Stigand; general sorrow at Eadward’s death	28–30
	His popular canonization	31–32
1102	His posthumous history; first examination of his body by Gilbert and Gundulf	32–33
1140	Attempt of Prior Osbert to procure his canonization	33–34
1161	Eadward canonized by Alexander the Third	34
October 13, 1163	First Translation of his body	34–35
October 13, 1269	Second Translation of his body; rebuilding of Westminster by Henry the Third; Henry’s likeness to Eadward; presence of Edward the First	35–39
1074	The royal tombs around Eadward’s shrine; burial of Eadgyth	39
1118	Burial of Eadgyth–Matilda	39
1557	The body removed by Henry the Eighth and restored by Philip and Mary	40–41
January 6, 1066	Coronation of Harold; Ealdred officiates	41–43
	Order of the ceremony; the election in the church	43–44
	The Unction and Crowning	45–48
	Question of the Marriage and Crowning of Ealdgyth	48
§ 3. The First Days of Harold’s Reign. January 6–April 16, 1066.
	No Earl of the West-Saxons appointed; Harold keeps the South in his own hands and entrusts the North to Eadwine and Morkere	49–51
	Character of Harold’s government; Norman and English accounts; no general expulsion of Normans	51–54
	Harold’s military preparations and coinage	54
	His relations to the Church, to Gisa, Wulfstan, and other Prelates	55–56
	Formal concurrence of Northumberland in the election; Northumberland never fairly represented in the Witenagemót	57–58
	Refusal of the Northumbrians to acknowledge Harold; probable agency of Eadwine and Morkere	58–60
	Harold, accompanied by Wulfstan, goes to York and wins over the Northumbrians	60–65
April 16–23, 1066	Harold’s Easter Feast and Gemót at Westminster	65
	Effect of Harold’s reign on London	65–66
	Eadgyth at Winchester	67
	Ecclesiastical appointments in the Gemót; Ealdred of Abingdon and Thurstan of Ely; importance of Thurstan’s appointment	68–70
January 15?	The Crown challenged by William	70–71
April 24–30	The Comet; its effects on men’s minds	71–74
	Summary	74
CHAPTER XII.
THE LATER REIGN OF WILLIAM IN NORMANDY. 1051–1066.
1051	Recapitulation; William returns from England	75
	Character and divisions of the period; William’s wars with France; his war with Maine; the Breton war and the oath of Harold	76–78
§ 1. The Marriage of William and Matilda. 1049–1060.
	Position of William; political necessity of his marriage; domestic purity of his life	78–80
	His counsellors recommend a marriage with Matilda of Flanders	80
	Position and greatness of the Counts of Flanders	81–83
1036–1067	Reign of Baldwin the Fifth; his connexion with France and England	83–84
	Matilda’s former marriage and children	84–87
1048–1049	Beginning of William’s courtship; the marriage forbidden by the Council of Rheims	87–89
1053	Celebration of the marriage; its coincidence with the captivity of Leo the Ninth	90–93
	Opposition of Archbishop Malger; his character	93–96
1055	Malger deposed; his banishment and death	96–98
1055–1069	Maurilius, Archbishop of Rouen, his life and character	98–101
	Lanfranc opposes the marriage; his quarrel and reconciliation with the Duke	101–103
1054–1059	Lanfranc supports the marriage at Rome	104–106
1059–1060	Lanfranc returns with the dispensation	106
	Foundation of the two Abbeys of Caen	108–110
1066?	Anselm Prior of Bec; excellence of William’s ecclesiastical appointments	110–111
	Children of William and Matilda	111–113
§ 2. William’s Wars with France. 1053–1060.
	Character of the period; Norman rebellions supported by France and Anjou	113–114
	Greatness of Normandy; its natural hostility to France	114–116
1048–1053	Revolt of William Busac	116
	The Counts of Eu; their ecclesiastical foundations	116–118
	William Busac defends Eu against the Duke; he is banished	118–119
1058	He takes refuge in France and receives the County of Soissons	119–120
1053	Revolt of William of Arques; his former conduct; the Duke occupies the castle; description of Arques	120–125
	The castle betrayed to Count William; his revolt; march of the Duke from Valognes	125–128
	The Duke blockades the castle; King Henry helps the rebels; ambush at Saint Aubin	129–133
	Death of Ingelram; history of the Counts of Ponthieu	134–136
	The King retires; Moulins betrayed to him	136–138
	The castle surrenders; Count William retires to Boulogne	138–140
	Hatred of the French towards Normandy; enmity of Geoffrey of Anjou and other princes; great confederacy against Normandy	140–144
1054	Double invasion of Normandy under King Henry and his brother Odo	144–150
	William’s preparations; his plan of defence and division of his forces	150–153
	Ravages of the French; they reach Mortemer	153–155
	The French surprised and cut to pieces at Mortemer; imprisonment of Guy of Ponthieu	155–158
	Promotion of William of Warren; he marries the Duke’s step-daughter Gundrada	158
	The news brought to William; his stratagem and message to the King	158–160
	Panic and retreat of the French army	161
	Illustrations of the Norman national character	161–163
	William fortifies Breteuil	163–164
1055	Peace with France; William authorized to make conquests at the expense of Anjou	164
1048–1063	Extension of William’s frontier to the south; Domfront and Ambrières	164–166
1055	New fortifications at Ambrières; William and Geoffrey before Ambrières; flight of Count Geoffrey and homage of Geoffrey of Mayenne	166–169
	Further extension of William’s frontier towards Anjou	169
1055–1058	Three years’ peace	170
August, 1058	Last French and Angevin invasion; William’s defensive policy; advance and ravages of the French	170–172
	The French at Varaville; William’s march; the French surprised and cut to pieces; the King retreats	172–177
	Peace with France; restoration of Tillières	177
1060	Death of King Henry; his Russian marriage	177–178
1059	Coronation of Philip the First	178
1060	Baldwin of Flanders Regent for Philip; death of Geoffrey Martel; his dominions divided between his nephews	179–180
1058	Coincidence of the Battle of Varaville with Harold’s pilgrimage; change in the state of Gaul after the deaths of Henry and Geoffrey	180–182
§ 3. The War of Maine. 1060–1064.
1060–1063	Banishment of various Norman nobles; affairs of Saint Evroul; Synod of Caen	183–185
	Old Norman claims over Maine; early history of the country; ecclesiastical and popular element at Le Mans	185–188
924–978	Alleged grants of Maine to Rolf, to Hugh the Great, and to Geoffrey Grisegonelle	188–189
	Rivalry of the Counts of Maine with the Bishops and with the Counts of Anjou	189
960–994	Count Hugh and Bishop Sainfred	189–190
987–994	Fulk Nerra overruns Maine	190
1015–1036	Count Herbert Wake-the-Dog	190–193
994–1036	Avesgaud Bishop of Le Mans; his disputes with Herbert	190–192
1016–1028	Herbert’s relations with Anjou; his share in the Battle of Pontlevois; his imprisonment at Saintes	191–192
1035–1051	Hugh Count of Maine; regency of Herbert Bacco	193
1036–1058	Gervase Bishop of Le Mans; he commends the Bishoprick to Geoffrey Martel; expulsion of Herbert Bacco	193–194
1044–1051	Gervase imprisoned by Geoffrey Martel	195
1051–1061	Geoffrey Martel occupies Le Mans	195
1051–1058	Gervase takes refuge in Normandy; he becomes Archbishop of Rheims	195–196
1060	Herbert commends himself to William on the death of Geoffrey; settlement of the succession	196–199
1063	Herbert dies childless; succession of Walter and Biota	199–200
	War of Maine; William ravages the country; surrender of Le Mans	201–207
	Death of Walter and Biota; William charged with poisoning them	207–208
	Geoffrey of Mayenne still holds out; conquest of Mayenne	208–212
	Betrothal and death of Margaret of Maine	212–213
	Importance of the conquest of Maine; its connexion with that of England	213–215
§ 4. The Visit of Harold and the Breton War. 1064?
	Position of William and Harold	215–216
	Their meeting; contradictory nature of the stories; connexion between the bequest of Eadward and the oath of Harold	217–218
	Three different versions; Harold’s presence in Normandy probably accidental; probable presence of other members of his family	219–221
	Harold sets sail at Bosham; he is wrecked in Ponthieu and imprisoned by Guy	222–223
	He is delivered by William	224–226
	Harold at Rouen; he engages to marry William’s daughter and receives knighthood	226–229
	Harold joins William in the war against Britanny	229
1040–1066	Conan Count of the Bretons	230
1056–1062	Relations of Conan, Odo, and Hoel; a party in Britanny favourable to William	230–231
	Conan’s challenge; Dol held for William	232–233
	March of William and Harold to Dol; description of the city	233–237
	Flight of Conan from Dol	237
	Siege and surrender of Dinan	238–240
	Harold’s oath; various statements as to time, place, and terms; question of the relics	240–247
	Probable nature of the oath; an engagement to marry William’s daughter, combined with a formal homage	248–251
	Moral aspect of the case; the English people not affected	252–253
	Summary	254
CHAPTER XIII.
THE NEGOTIATIONS OF DUKE WILLIAM.
January–August, 1066.
	Position of William at Eadward’s death	255
	Effect on his schemes of Harold’s sudden election	256
§ 1. The Negotiations between William and Harold.
	The news brought to William; his dialogue with William Fitz-Osbern	256–259
January 15? 1066	William’s Embassy to Harold; its object; its possible connexion with the Northumbrian discontents	259–262
	Constitutional language attributed to Harold	262–265
	William’s point gained in the Embassy	265
§ 2. Claims and Arguments of William.
	No hope for William but in war; no English party in his favour	266
	Difficulties of the enterprise; comparison with the Norman exploits in Apulia	267–268
	William’s appeal to his own Duchy; influence of Lanfranc; religious character given to the enterprise	268–272
	No right of any kind in William; Harold’s oath irrelevant to the question	272–273
	Bearing of William’s appeal to public opinion and to the Papacy	273–274
	Fair colouring put on a bad cause	274–275
	Harold’s claim unintelligible on the Continent	275–276
	William’s claim adapted to continental opinion	276–279
	Wrong done to the Norman saints; forestalling of the crusading spirit	280
	General character of William’s case; various motives appealed to; Norman grudge against England	281–283
	Charges against the English Church; William outwitted by Hildebrand	284–286
§ 3. The Norman Council and the Assembly of Lillebonne.
1066	William consults a select Council	286–288
	Its members pledge their own services, but recommend the calling of a larger assembly	288
	The Assembly of Lillebonne; its constitution	289–290
	Position and history of Lillebonne	290–292
	Parliamentary spirit of the Assembly; strong opposition to the enterprise	292–295
	Attempt of William Fitz-Osbern to cajole the Assembly; his speech to William; his offers disowned by the Barons	295–297
	No vote passed, but the Barons severally won over by William	297–299
§ 4. William’s Alliance with Tostig.
	William’s supporters in England to be found only among the Norman settlers	299
	Position of Tostig; his alliance with William	300–303
May, 1066	He attacks England with William’s consent	304
§ 5. William’s Negotiations with Foreign Powers.
	William invites volunteers from all parts	305
	The Conquest not a national Norman enterprise, but a Norman character impressed on the whole	305–306
	The foreign troops mainly adventurers; few foreign princes served	306
	William’s embassies to foreign powers; he sends to King Henry of Germany	306–307
1056–1066	Condition of the Empire in the early days of Henry the Fourth; comparison of his minority with that of William	307–308
	No mention of the Norman embassy in German writers; probable state of the case	308–309
	Alleged embassy to Swend of Denmark	309–310
	Embassy to Philip of France; William offers to hold England of him	310–311
	Negotiations with Baldwin of Flanders	312
	Zeal of Eustace of Boulogne; Arnold of Ardres	312–313
	Great number of Breton auxiliaries; Alan Fergant	313–314
1066	Volunteers from Anjou, &c.; state of Anjou; war between Geoffrey and Fulk	314–315
1066	War of Conan of Britanny against Anjou; legend of his death	315–316
	William charged with the death of Conan	316
1061–1073	Negotiations with Rome; Papacy of Alexander the Second; influence of Hildebrand	317
	William’s embassy; debate in the Conclave and strong opposition	317–319
	Decision in favour of William; bull and gifts of Alexander	320–321
	Complete success of William’s diplomacy	321–322
	Summary	322
CHAPTER XIV.
THE NORWEGIAN INVASION AND THE CAMPAIGN OF STAMFORDBRIDGE.
May–September, 1066.
	Course of events before William’s invasion	323
§ 1. The First Expedition of Tostig. May, 1066.
Easter, 1066	Harold in full possession of England	324
May	Tostig lands in Wight; his ravages	324–325
May–September	Great preparations of Harold; he hastens to meet Tostig	325–326
	Tostig ravages Lindesey; he is driven away by Eadwine and Morkere, and takes refuge in Scotland	326–327
§ 2. Tostig’s Applications to Swend and Harold Hardrada.
	Saga of Harold Hardrada; mythical character of its details	327–328
1064	War between Harold Hardrada and Swend; peace concluded between them	328
	Contradictions between the English, Norwegian, and Norman stories	329
	Norwegian version; Tostig asks help of Swend and is refused	329–330
	He goes to Harold Hardrada; discussion between Tostig and Harold	331–333
	Harold determines on the expedition; no mention of any Thing as consulted; Norwegian estimate of the English Housecarls	333–334
§ 3. The Invasion of Harold Hardrada. September, 1066.
	Preparations of Harold of England for the defence of the South; the North left to Eadwine and Morkere; difficulty of keeping the fyrd on foot	335–337
September 8, 1066	The army disbanded; Harold returns to London with the fleet; question of naval operations against the Normans	338–339
	Harold Hardrada sets sail; he designs to reign in England; his wives, children, and treasures	339–341
	Greatness of the expedition; the last Scandinavian expedition against England; omens on the voyage	341–343
	Harold Hardrada in Orkney	344
1014–1064	Reign of Thorfinn in Orkney	344
	Tostig and Harold Hardrada meet in the Tyne	345
	Policy of Malcolm; accession of various princes and volunteers	345–346
	The fleet on the coast of Yorkshire; its ravages; burning of Scarborough; the English fleet retires into the Wharf	346–347
	The Northmen sail up the Humber, and land at Riccall; Tostig and Harold Hardrada march on York	348–349
Wednesday, September 20, 1066	Eadwine and Morkere march to meet them; Battle of Fulford; defeat of the English	349–351
Sunday, 24	Surrender of York	352–353
§ 4. The March of Harold and the Battle of Stamfordbridge.
	Hostages from Yorkshire to be delivered to Harold Hardrada at Stamfordbridge; description of Stamfordbridge and Aldby	353–356
	Position of the Norwegian army	357
	News of the Norwegian landing brought to Harold of England; he determines to march to the North; legend of his sickness and recovery	357–360
	Harold’s march; gathering of recruits	360–362
Sunday, 24	He reaches Tadcaster and reviews the fleet	362
Monday, 25	He passes through York; Battle of Stamfordbridge	362–363
	The Norwegian Saga; its mythical character	363–367
	Sudden advance of the English; loyalty of the country	367–368
	The battle begins on the right side of the Derwent	369
	The bridge defended by a single Northman	369–370
	The English cross the bridge; main fight on the left side; complete victory of the English	370–371
	Deaths of Tostig, Harold Hardrada, &c.; escape of Godred; burial of Tostig	371–373
	Harold’s mild dealing with Olaf	374–375
October 1?	Harold at York; news of William’s landing	375–376
CHAPTER XV.
THE NORMAN INVASION AND THE CAMPAIGN OF HASTINGS.
August–October, 1066.
§ 1. The Building of the Fleet.
	Success of all William’s negotiations	377–378
Summer, 1066	Formation of the Norman fleet; contributions of ships; gifts of Remigius of Fécamp and of the Duchess Matilda	378–380
	Number and character of the ships	381
June 15	Ecclesiastical affairs; Council at Bonneville; Lanfranc Abbot of Saint Stephen’s	381–382
June 18	Consecration of the Holy Trinity at Caen; dedication of Cecily	383
§ 2. The Embarcation and Voyage of William. August–September, 1066.
August 12	The fleet at the mouth of the Dive	384–386
	Delay at the Dive; good order maintained in the army	386–387
	Numbers of the army	387
	Spies sent by Harold; their treatment by William	388–389
[September 8]	William changes his position; probable influence of the disbanding of Harold’s army	389–390
September 12	William sails to Saint Valery; description and history of the place	391–392
September 12–27	Losses of the fleet; further delay at Saint Valery; religious ceremonies and procession	392–395
Wednesday, 27	The south-wind blows; the embarcation	395–397
	William sets sail; details of the voyage	398–400
Thursday, 28	William lands at Pevensey; history and description of the place	400–402
491	Taking of Anderida by Ælle and Cissa	402–404
	Defenceless state of the coast; no resistance to William’s landing	404–405
	Details of the landing; William’s ready wit	405–407
Friday, September 29	William marches to Hastings; history and importance of the town; he encamps on the hill	407–409
	Question of losses and skirmishes; fate of the soothsayer	410–411
	William systematically ravages the country	411–412
	Robert the son of Wymarc counsels William to retreat; his answer	413–416
§ 3. The Southern March of Harold. October 1–13, 1066.
October 1?	The news brought to Harold at York; messengers from Pevensey and from Hastings	416–419
	Harold’s position; his Council at York; he begins his march to London	420–421
	Merlswegen in command of the North; Eadwine and Morkere keep back from the war	421–422
	General zeal of the nation; charge of parsimony against Harold	422–423
	The army joined by the men of Wessex, East-Anglia, and Eastern Mercia; loyalty of the Earldom of Waltheof; special position of the men of Kent and London	423–424
	Names of Englishmen preserved; Esegar, Ælfric, Breme, Godric, Thurkill, Eadric the Deacon; the Abbots Leofric and Ælfwig	425–427
October 5–11	Harold reaches London; he waits for fresh troops	427
	His visit to Waltham; his vow; miracle of the Holy Rood	428–430
	Messages between William and Harold; mission of Hugh Margot to Harold; Harold’s counter-message and challenge	430–433
	Harold eager for battle; advice of Gyrth; Harold refuses to ravage the land	433–437
Thursday, October 12	Harold marches from London; number of his army; his plan and tactics; he fights on ground of his own choice	437–440
Friday, 13	Harold encamps on Senlac; description of the site; its advantages; he fortifies the hill	441–445
	Stories of desertions, spies, &c.; William’s last message and challenge; Harold refuses the single combat	445–450
§ 4. The Battle. October 14, 1066.
	The night before the battle; ceremonial devotion of the Normans; alleged revelry of the English	450–453
Saturday, 14	Battle of Senlac; William’s speech to his army	453–454
	The Normans march to Telham and arm; story of the reversed hauberk	455–457
	Vital brings news of the English army; William vows to build a monastery on Senlac	457–458
	Threefold division of William’s army; on the left the Bretons, on the right the French; the Normans in the centre	458–461
	Armour and weapons of the Normans	462
	The standard and the group around it; William and his brothers; the standard borne by Toustain the White	462–465
	The Norman chivalry; William Patry, Roger the Bigod, William Malet	465–467
	Three classes of troops in each division; order of the attack	467–468
	The two armies in sight; Harold’s speech; story of the English spy; Harold dismounts at the Standard	468–469
	Tales of Harold and Gyrth	469–471
	Defences and close array of the English; their armour and weapons	471–474
	The English ensigns; post of the King and his kinsfolk by the Standard	475–476
	Points of attack of the three divisions of the enemy	477
9 A.M.	Beginning of the battle; exploits of Taillefer	477–478
	First attack; Norman and English war-cries; the Normans beaten back	479–481
	Flight of the Bretons on the left; the light-armed English pursue; panic of the Normans; William and Odo recall the fugitives	481–484
	Second attack; personal exploits of William; deaths of Gyrth and Leofwine	484–487
	Partial success of the French on the right, but the general attack repulsed	487–488
	William orders the stratagem of the feigned flight; the English on the right pursue; the Bretons turn	488–490
	Slaughter of the French at the detached hill and in the western ravine	490
3 P.M.	The Normans ride up the hill; single combats; personal exploits of William, Harold, and others	491–495
	The English resistance slackens, but the battle undecided while Harold lives	495–496
6 P.M.	The archers shoot in the air; Harold wounded in the eye and disabled	497–498
	Fight round the Standard; the Dragon borne off and the Standard beaten down	498
	Harold killed by Eustace and others; insults to his body	499–500
	Resistance and slaughter of the King’s following	500–501
	Escape of the wounded Esegar and Leofric	501
	Flight of the light-armed; pursuit of the Normans and slaughter of the pursuers in Malfosse; end of the battle	502–503
	Effect of the death of Harold	504
	Military estimate of the battle	503–507
§ 5. The Burial of Harold. October–December, 1066.
	William returns to the hill; his midnight feast	507–509
Sunday, October 15	Burial of the dead; burial of the English allowed; discovery of Ælfwig and his monks; Harold’s body not forthcoming	509–510
	Osgod, Æthelric, and Gytha ask for the body; William commands that it shall be buried on the sea-shore	511–513
	The body found by Eadgyth Swanneshals, and buried on the hill at Hastings by William Malet	513–514
	Legend of Harold’s escape, penitence, and death at Chester; mythical character of the story	515–518
1066–1540	Harold’s alleged burial at Waltham; his translation; destruction of his tomb	518–520
1307	The body of Edward the First at Waltham; comparison between Harold and Edward	521–522
CHAPTER XVI.
THE INTERREGNUM.
October 15–December 25, 1066.
	The throne vacant; William expects a general submission; no submission as yet	523–524
	The news brought to London; Eadwine and Morkere reach London, and send Ealdgyth to Chester	525
	Gemót in London to choose a King; no qualified candidate; candidature of Eadwine and Morkere; election of Eadgar	525–527
	Character of the choice; consent of Eadwine and Morkere; alleged opposition of certain Bishops	528–529
November 1	Eadgar not crowned; death of Abbot Leofric; the choice of his successor Brand confirmed by Eadgar	530
	The Londoners and others eager for battle; treason of Eadwine and Morkere; no further general combination against William	531–532
October 15–20	William at Hastings; his policy of subduing the country piecemeal	533
20	His ravages; he marches to Romney; his vengeance	533–534
21	He marches to Dover; description of the castle; its surrender; the town accidentally burned	535–538
October 29	The Kentish towns submit; William marches towards Canterbury and receives its submission on the road	538–539
October 31–December 1	William encamps at the Broken Tower; his sickness and consequent delay	540
	He sends an embassy to Winchester; position of Eadgyth; Winchester submits	540–541
c. December 1	London still holds out; William marches against it; skirmish and burning of Southwark	541–542
	He keeps on the right bank of the Thames and crosses at Wallingford; object of this course	543–544
	Esegar in command in London; tale of his communications with William; his messenger deceived by William	544–546
	Submission to William agreed on in London	546
	William at Berkhampstead; Eadgar, Ealdred, and others submit to him there and are graciously received	547–548
	William invited to assume the Crown; probable feelings of Englishmen at the moment	548–550
	William’s council; his professed unwillingness to accept the Crown	550–551
	Speech of Hamon of Thouars; William accepts the Crown; the coronation fixed for Christmas	551–553
	Position of William; triumph of his policy	553
	He sends to fortify a post in London	553
	His march to London; opposite accounts of his conduct	554–555
	Alleged refusal of Stigand to consecrate William; Stigand’s real position and share in the ceremony; Ealdred the actual consecrator	555–557
December 25	Coronation of William; the approach to the church guarded by Norman horsemen	557
	The procession and ecclesiastical election	558–559
	The Normans fire the houses near the church; William left alone with the officiating clergy	560
	William’s oath and consecration	560–561
	Summary	561–562
APPENDIX.
Note A.	The Authority of the Bayeux Tapestry	563
B.	Eadward’s Bequest of the Crown to Harold	576
C.	The Election of Harold	597
D.	The Coronation of Harold	612
E.	The Ancient Coronation Office	622
F.	The Date of the Marriage of Harold and Ealdgyth	625
G.	The Character of Harold’s Government	627
H.	The Coinage of Harold	631
I.	The Opposition of Northumberland to Harold’s Accession	632
K.	The Political Position of the Lady Eadgyth	635
L.	The Affairs of the Abbey of Ely at the time of Harold’s Accession	636
M.	The Comet of 1066	640
N.	The Marriage of William and Matilda	645
O.	The Children of William and Matilda	658
P.	The Revolt of William Busac	662
Q.	The Revolt of William of Arques	664
R.	The Bequest of Eadward to William and the Oath of Harold	667
S.	The Ælfgyva of the Bayeux Tapestry	696
T.	The Breton Campaign of William and Harold	700
U.	The Embassies exchanged between William and Harold	701
W.	William’s Councils and Negotiations	703
X.	The Movements of Tostig after his Banishment	708
Y.	Arnold of Ardres	713
Z.	The Death of Conan	714
AA.	The Operations of the English Fleet in 1066	716
BB.	The March of Harold to York	718
CC.	The Details of the Battle of Stamfordbridge	720
DD.	William’s Ravages in Sussex	728
EE.	Names of Englishmen at Senlac	729
FF.	The Dates of the Events between the two Great Battles	732
GG.	The Messages between Harold and William	733
HH.	The English Numbers at Senlac	740
II.	The Miraculous Warning given to Harold before the Battle	742
KK.	The Details of the Battle of Senlac	743
LL.	Ralph of Norfolk	751
MM.	The Burial of Harold	754
NN.	Eadgyth Swanneshals	763
OO.	The Ætheling Eadgar	766
PP.	The Submission at Berkhampstead	767