Omens in the earlier times, saintly relics in the later, were held in the highest estimation for the assurance of victory. The ancient Germans, as we learn from Cæsar, consulted their matrons as to the lucky hour for them to engage battle, and would not advance till the moon was propitious[26]. At the battle of the Casilinus, already noticed, some of the German auxiliaries of the Franks were unwilling to engage because their augurs had declared the moment to be unfavourable[27]. Gregory of Tours notices the custom of the Christian kings of France to seek a lucky omen from the services of the Church; and recounts that Clovis, arriving in Touraine on his expedition against Alaric, sent his retainers to the church in which the body of Saint Martin was deposited, in order to notice the words that should be uttered on their entry within the sacred walls. The king's satisfaction was extreme when the courtiers reported the passage of the eighteenth Psalm: "Tu mihi virtute ad bellum accinctos meos adversarios subjicis[28]." Harold's "lucky day" was Saturday; on which he therefore fixes, to measure his strength with Duke William. Saturday was his birthday, and his mother had frequently assured him that projects undertaken on that day would bring him good fortune:-- "Guert, dist Heraut,---- Jor li assis à Samedi, Por ço ke Samedi naski. Ma mere dire me soleit Ke à cel jor bien m'aveindreit." _Rom. de Rou_, l. 13054. Saintly relics were carried in procession to insure a successful expedition, or worn about the person of the combatant, or enclosed in a feretory and set up on the field of battle. Pope Gregory the Great included among the presents which he sent to Childebert II., certain relics which, worn round the neck in battle, would defend him from all harm: "quæ collo suspensæ a malis omnibus vos tueantur[29]." When Rollo, duke of Normandy, besieged Chartres, the bishop assembled the clergy and people, and-- "Traist horz entre sis mainz, d'une châsse ù el fu, La kemise à la Virge. * * * * * Reliques è corz sainz fist mult tost avant traire, Filatieres è testes et altres Saintuaires[30]: Ne lessia croix, ne châsse, ne galice[31] en aumaire. * * * * * Li Eveske meisme porta _por gonfanon_ Li plus chières reliques par la procession." The effect of all this upon Rollo was most startling:--