[Footnote 6: The accounts differ as to the number of vessels, arising principally from a different principle of computation; some reckoning 'the small craft,' others not. _Benoit de Sainte-More_ says, Si out treis mile nefs au meins, De ce nos fait l'autor certains.] [Footnote 7: The fleet sailed on the 29th September, 1066.] [Footnote 8: 'Wire-wire.'] [Footnote 9: In the Bayeux tapestry, the child will be seen at the poop, not at the prow, to which, however, he looks; he holds a trumpet. In Taylor's Anon. MS. (_Littleton_, i. 464) it is stated that William's own ship was called Mora, being the gift of Matilda; and the child is stated to have pointed towards England with his right forefinger, and to have held to his mouth an ivory horn with his left. According to _Ordericus Vitalis_, one Fitz Stephen under Hen. I. claimed to take the king in the unfortunate Blanche-Nef, because his father had carried over the conqueror. _Benoit de Sainte-More's_ short account of the voyage, of the formation of the first fort, which he places at Pevensey, and of the progress thence to Hastings, is as follows: D'entrer es nefs e de charger Ne sorst esmai ne destorbier, Kar l'aure venta duce e queie Eissi que li mers trop n'ondeie. Enz l'anuitant furent tuit enz; Od ce que mult fu dreiz li venz, Traïstrent les veiles, si siglèrent, Au rei des ceus se comandèrent Od joie e od tens duz e bel Arrivent a Pevenesel. Iloc sempres desus le port Ferment un chastel bel e fort. Chevalers bons des sues genz Laissa li dux assez dedenz Por tenir le deus anz garniz, Apres, ce conte li escriz, Vint a Hastinges senz demore, Ou maintenant e en poi d'ore En r'a un autre fait fermer. Tant entendirent al ovrer Que li mur i furent si haut De nule part ne dote assant. Là remist gardes seguraines E de lui fei porter certaines.] [Illustration] CHAPTER XII. HOW THE DUKE AND HIS HOST LANDED NEAR TO HASTINGS, AND MADE THEMSELVES A FORT.