Preparations in Normandy for the invasion of England--Description of duke William's soldiers--He obtains the sanction of the pope to seize the crown of England, and receives a consecrated banner from Rome--Meeting of the barons and citizens of Normandy-- Policy of William Fitz-Osbern--Measures adopted by the Norman duke--His promises to all who embarked in the expedition-- Vows of the Norman knights--Protest of Conan, king of Brittany --Death of Conan--The Norman fleet arrives at Dive--Conduct of duke William while wind-bound in the roadsteads of St. Valery --Consternation amongst his troops--Method pursued by the Norman duke to appease the murmurs of his soldiers--The Norman fleet crosses the Channel, and arrives at Pevensey-bay--Fall of the astrologer--Landing of the Norman soldiers--William's stumbling considered an ill omen--He marches towards Hastings --Alarm of the inhabitants along the coast--Tidings carried to Harold of the landing of the Normans p. 325 CHAPTER XXXIX. BATTLE OF HASTINGS. Harold, king of the Saxons, marches from York--Despatches a fleet to intercept the flight of the Normans--Disaffection amongst his troops--He arrives in London--His hasty departure from the metropolis--Cause of Harold's disasters--Description of the Norman and Saxon encampments--William's message to Harold --Occupation of the rival armies the night before the battle-- Gurth advises Harold to quit the field--Morning of the battle --The Saxon and Norman leaders--William the Norman's address to his soldiers--Inferiority of the Saxons in numbers--Strong position taken up by Harold--Commencement of the combat-- Courage of the Saxons--The Normans driven back from the English intrenchments--Skill of the Norman archers--Cavalry of the invaders driven into a deep ravine--The battle hitherto in favour of the Saxons--Rumour that William the Norman was slain --The effect of his sudden appearance amongst his retreating forces--Unflinching valour of the Saxons--Stratagem adopted by the Norman duke--Its consequence--William again attempts a feigned flight, and the Saxons quit their intrenchments-- Dreadful slaughter of the English--Death of Harold, the last Saxon king--Capture of the Saxon banner--Victory of the Normans--Retreat and pursuit of the remnant of the Saxon army --The field of Hastings the morning after the battle--The dead body of Harold discovered by Edith the Swan-necked p. 338 THE ANGLO-SAXONS. Their religion--Government and laws--Literature of Anglo-Saxons --Architecture, Arts, &c.--Costume, Manners, Customs, and Everyday life p. 357 THE HISTORY OF ENGLAND Under the Anglo-Saxons. CHAPTER I. THE DAWN OF HISTORY.