and Alan Fergant of Brittany. Harold's heart sank at the sight, and he broke out into passionate exclamations of fear and dismay. But now the third and last division of the Norman army was drawing nigh. The consecrated Gonfanon floats amidst the forest of spears, and Harold is now too well aware that he beholds the ranks which are commanded in person by the Duke of Normandy. As the Normans were marshalled in three divisions, so they began the battle by simultaneous attacks upon three points of the English forces. Immediately before the duke rode Taillefer the minstrel, singing, with a loud and clear voice, the lay of Charlemagne and Roland, and the emprises of the paladins who had fallen in the dolorous Pass of Roncevaux. Taillefer, as his guerdon, had craved permission to strike the first blow; for he was a valiant warrior, emulating the deeds which he sung. His appellation, Taille-fer, is probably to be considered not as his real name, but as an epithet derived from his strength and prowess; and he fully justified his demand by transfixing the first Englishman whom he attacked, and by felling the second to the ground. The battle now became general, and raged with the greatest fury. The Normans advanced beyond the English lines; but they were driven back and forced into a trench, where horses and riders fell upon each other in fearful confusion. More Normans were slain here than in any other part of the field. The alarm spread; the light troops left in charge of the baggage and the stores thought that all was lost, and were about to take flight. But the fierce Odo, Bishop of Bayeux, the duke's half-brother, who was better fitted for the shield than for the mitre, succeeded in reassuring them; and then, returning to the field and rushing into that part where the battle was hottest, he fought as the stoutest of the warriors engaged in the conflict, directing their movements, and inciting them to slaughter. From nine in the morning till three in the afternoon the successes on either side were nearly balanced. The charges of the Norman cavalry gave them great advantage; but the English phalanx repelled their enemies, and the soldiers were so well protected by their targets that the artillery of the Normans was long discharged in vain. The bowmen, seeing that they had failed to make any impression, altered the direction of their shafts, and, instead of shooting pointblank, the flights of arrows were directed upwards, so that the points came down upon the heads of the men of England, and the iron shower fell with murderous effect. The English ranks were exceedingly distressed by the volleys, yet they still stood firm; and the Normans now employed a stratagem to decoy their opponents out of their intrenchments. A feigned retreat on their part induced the English to pursue them with great heat. The Normans suddenly wheeled about, and a new and fiercer battle was urged. The field was covered with separate bands of foemen, each engaged with one another. the English yielded; there they conquered. Here One English thane, armed with a battle-axe, spread dismay amongst the Frenchmen. He was cut down by Roger de Montgomery. The Normans have preserved the name of the Norman baron, but that of the Englishman is lost in oblivion. Some other English thanes are also praised, as having singly, and by their personal prowess, delayed the ruin of their countrymen and country. At one period of the battle the Normans were nearly routed. The cry was raised that the duke was slain, and they began to fly in every direction. William threw off his helmet, and galloping through the squadrons, rallied his barons, though not without great difficulty. Harold, on his part, used every possible exertion, and was distinguished as the most active and bravest amongst the soldiers in the host which he led on to destruction. A Norman arrow wounded him in the left eye; he dropped from his steed in agony, and was borne to the foot of the standard. The English began to give way, or rather to retreat to the standard as their rallying-point. The Normans encircled them, and fought desperately to reach this goal. Robert Fitz-Ernest had almost seized the banner, but he was killed in the attempt. William led his troops on, with the intention, it is said, of measuring his sword with Harold. He did encounter an English horseman, from whom he received such a stroke upon his helmet that he was nearly brought to the ground. The Normans flew to the aid of their sovereign, and the bold Englishman was pierced by their lances. About the same time The the tide of battle took a momentary turn. Kentish men and East Saxons rallied, and repelled the Norman barons; but Harold was not amongst them, and William led on his troops with desperate intrepidity. Gurth was at the foot of the standard without hope, but without fear: he fell by the falchion of William. The English banner was cast down, and the Gonfanon, planted in its place, announced that William of Normandy was the conqueror. It was now late in the evening. The English troops were entirely broken; yet no Englishman would surrender. The conflict continued in many parts of the field long after dark. The fugitives spread themselves over the adjoining country, then covered with wood and forest. Wherever the English could make a stand they resisted; and the Normans confess that the great preponderance of their force alone enabled them to obtain the victory. From PALGRAVE'S "History of the Anglo-Saxons." + + + I see before me the gladiator lie. The arena swims around him—he is gone Ere ceased the inhuman shout which hailed the wretch who won.-Byron. |