Memorable Battles in English History, where fought, why fought, and their results. With the military lives of the commanders, etc

Front matter

MEMORABLE BATTLES iv ENGLISH HISTORY, UlltlU, MM Mis. HIM FOUGHT, AMI TIIEIK RESULTS WITH THE MILITARY LIVES OF THF, COMMANDEES. BY W. II. DAVENPORT ADAMS, AUTHOR OF " KBPTinra'S HEROES; OR, THE SEA KINGS OF ENGLAND," I N •■ Own that the progeny of this fair isle Hath power as lofty actions to achieve As were performed in man's heroic prime." Wordsworth. THE FRONTISPIECE BY ROBERT DUDLEY. LONDON: GRIFFITH AND FA R R A N, (SUCCESSORS TO KEWBERY AND 1IAKKI5.) COENEIt OF ST. PAUL'S CHUKCUYAItD. MDCCCLXIII.

Preface

. A 1 bw words will serve to explain my object in the preparation of this volume. I have selected those great battles which appear to me to have largely influenced the fortunes of the British Empire, and have endeavoured to show where they were fought, — why they were fought, — how they were won, — and what were the results achieved by them. I have added brief, but, I believe, accurate memoirs of the military careers of those illustrious English soldiers who fought them, and whose fame is inseparably con nected with the glories of British History. As my book is in tended for the general reader — for him who runs and reads, — I have dwelt most fully upon those battle-fields which have been usually subjected to the least popular mode of treatment. So many able pens have written, for instance, of Waterloo and Wellington, that I have purposely condensed my own account of that famous victory and illustrious victor into the fewest possible pages.

The battle of Hastings changed the whole face of English society. It not only placed a new dynasty on the throne, but planted a new people in the heart of the nation. Crecy was the first of a long series of military triumphs, which sustained the spirit of England in its growing rivalry with France. Lewes exhibited the rising power of ' a middle class,' and taught both VI

PREFACE.

. the King and the Barons to respect its privileges and value its support. Azincourt was of importance in establishing, upon the Continent, a reverence for the resolute courage of English soldiers. Naseby was a death-blow to the cause of Charles I. Blenheim, by checking the ambition and frustrating the projects of Louis Quatorze, rescued Europe from an overwhelming military preponderance. Plassey won India for England. Waterloo secured the peace of Europe for half a century. Such, in briefest phrase, are the reasons for which the particular battle-fields commemo rated in this volume have been selected. I do not profess to have said anything that will be new to the scholar, and can claim little merit for my work on the score of originality. But I venture to hope that a volnme which is a condensation of many volumes, and a collection of the most interesting details of the numerous authorities who have illustrated a most interesting theme, may be accepted by the public as one of some value for the means of ready reference it affords.

I have appended to each subject a list of the principal works I have consulted respecting it, — in order to avoid overloading my pages with a multiplicity of minute and tiresome notes. It is not fitting that I should add more words either by way of apology or defence. My work has been done conscientiously, if feebly, and I now submit it to the public in the belief that it will meet, if it be considered to deserve, a favourable reception. ' Amicus dulcis, ut æquum est, Cum mea compenset vitiis bona, pluribus hisce, Si modo plura mihi bona sunt, inclinet.' — Horace. W. H. D. A. CONTENTS.

Chapter I. The Battle Of Hastings

(A.D. 1066). Landing of the Normans — Equipment of their Forces — Harold marches upon Hastings — The Norman and Saxon Camps — The Eve of Battle — Count William's Speech — An Omen — Harold and his Brothers — Taille fer — The Battle — Feigned Retreat of the Normans — Malfosse — Anec dotes of Courage — Defeat of the Saxons — Harold's Death — The Battle field — Harold's Burial — Consequences of the Battle of Hastings . 1 HAROLD, LAST OF THE SAXON KINGS : A BIOGRAPHY. The House of Godwin — Expulsion of the Danes — Edward the Confessor — Harold's Exile — His Return — His Military Repute — Subdues the Welsh — Pacifies Northumbria — Visits Normandy — Shipwreck, and Im prisonment — Remains at Count William's Court — His Oath — Returns to England — Elected King — Defeats Harold Hardrada, of Norway — Defeat, and Death at Hastings — His personal Appearance ... 19

Chapter II. The Battle Of Lewes

(AD. 1264). Its Causes — Positions of the two Armies — Simon de Montfort addresses his Troops — Charge of Prince Edward — Pursues the Londoners — De Montfort attacks the Centre of the Royal Army — Terrible Slaughter Xhe King of the Romans — Results of the Battle — Popular Feeling — Grafton's Narrative CONTENTS. SIMON DE MONTFORT, EARL OF LEICESTER : A BIOGRAPHY. Birth and Parentage— Marriage— Wars against 'the Gascons—Ill treated by Henry IH.— Espouses the popular Cause— Anecdotes— Oxford Statutes— Retires to Prance— Is recalled by the Barons, and assumes their Leadership— War breaks out— The Battle of Lewes— De Mont fort's Power— Representative Government— Jealousy of the Barons- Desertions— Prince Edward's Escape— Skirmish at Kenilworth— Battle of Evesham— Montfort's Death— Love of the Common People— His Character as indicated by contemporary Authorities ... 58 CHAPTER ni.

THE BATTLE OF CKECY (A.D. 1346). Origin of the War — Edward III. lands in France — His Danger — Crosses the Somme— Pursued by the French— The Field of Crecy — Confidence of the French — Conduct of the English — Prince Edward's Position — The Battle — The French Repulsed— Prince Edward and King Edward — Terrible Slaughter — Results of the Victory . . . 75 EDWARD THE BLACK PRINCE : A BIOGRAPHY'. His Birth and Education — Battle of Crecy — A short Truce — War again breaks out — Prince Edward's Expedition — Overtaken by the French — Disparity of Numbers— Wins the Battle of Poitiers — Chivalrous Courtesy to King John — Returns to England — Marries Joanna of Kent — Governor of Aquitaine — Joins the Party of Don Pedro of Castile — Vic tory at Navarrete — Retires to Bordeaux — Difficulties — Siege of Limoges — Ill Health — Returns to England — Seclusion at Berkhampstead — The Good Parliament — Edward's Death — Anecdotes — Lessons of his Life — His Character 86

Chapter IV. The Battle Of Azincourt

(A.D. 1415). Position of Henry V. on his Accession to the Throne— Resolves on War against France— Siege of Harfleur— Advances upon Calais—Sur rounded by French Troops— Arrives at Azincourt— Terms of Surrender Proposed— The Night before the Battle— Shakspeare's Henry V.—Dis position of the English Army— Confident Boastings of the French— The Attack— Valour of the English Archers— Repulse of the French Cavalry CONTENTS. IX —Henry V. in Peril— Anecdotes— The Rout— A false Alarm— The Battle-field— Number of Prisoners— The Duke of Orleans— Henry's Re ception in England 103 HENRY V., SURNAMED HENRY OF MONMOUTH : A BIOGRAPHY. His Birth, Parentage, and Education— Created Prince of Wales — Dis tinguishes himself at Shrewsbury Fight— Campaign in Wales— Youthful Excesses — Chief Justice Gascoigne commits him to Prison — His Inter view with his Father— Death of Henry IV.— Resolves on a French War — Conspiracy at Southampton — Battle of Azincourt — Second French Campaign — Sees Katherine of Valois — Successes over the French — Marries Katherine — Enters Paris — Reception in England — Third French Campaign— Henry's Illness— His Death, and Character . . 117

Chapter V. The Battle Of Naseby

(AD. 1646). Description of the Battle-field — Causes of the Battle — Positions of the Hostile Armies — Prince Rupert's Charge — Cromwell repulses Sir Marmaduke Langdale — Charles and the Earl of Carnwath — Defeat and Pursuit of the Royalists — Cromwell's Letter to the Speaker of the House of Commons — Results of the Victory — Present State of the Battle-field — Quotation from Carlyle — A Memorial 138 OLIVER CROMWELL, LORD PROTECTOR OF ENGLAND : A BIOGRAPHY. Birth and Parentage — His Father — His Mother — His Education — At Cambridge — His Father's Death — Removes to London — His Marriage — His Life at Huntingdon and St Ives — In the House of Commons — A Por trait — Cromwell and Hampden — Causes of the Civil War — Activity in Cambridgeshire — The Associated Counties — Cromwell seizes the High Sheriff of Herts — BriUiant Skirmish at Gainsborough — Winceby Fight— An Interval— Marston Moor — Self-Denying Ordinance — Naseby — Dupli city t>{ Charles I. — Cromwell in Ireland — Cromwell in Scotland— Dunbar — Worcester — Chronological Summary of the Protectorate — Cromwell's Children 147

Chapter VI. The Battle Of Blenheim

(A.D. 1704). Position of France in 1704 — Marlborough appointed to the Command of the Allied Annies— Penetrates Louis XIV.'s Projects— Marches from X CONTENTS. the Netherlands into the Valley of the Danube— Strength of the' Hostile Forces— Their Relative Positions— The Battle-field described— Success of Marlborough's Attack— Repulse of Prince Eugene— General Advance of the Allied Army— Defeat of the French— Attack upon Blenheim- Capture of Marshal Tallard— Marlborough's Correspondence— Results of the Victory 204 JOHN, DUKE OF MARLBOROUGH : A BIOGRAPHY. Birth and Parentage — Obtains an Ensigncy — Favoured by the Duke of York — Serves at Tangiers and in the Netherlands — His Marriage — His Address and Conduct — Sedgmoor — Betrays James II. — Honours from William HI. — Betrays William HI. — Rises again into Favour — Accession of Queen Anne — Commander of the Allied Armies — Campaigns of 1703 and 1704 — Victory of Blenheim — Campaign of 1705 — Forces the French Lines — Opposition of the Dutch Deputies and Generals — Campaign of 1706 — ■ Victory of Ramillies — Its Results — Political Parties in England — Campaign of 1707 — Charles XII. of Sweden — Misconduct of the Dutch — Intrigues against Marlborough — Campaign of 1708 — Victory of Oude nard — Its Results — Campaign of 1709 — Malplaquet — Campaigns of 1710 and 1711 — Political Intrigues — Fall of Marlborough — Retires to the Continent — Accession of George I. — Blenheim — His Death and Character 220

Chapter VII. The Battle Of Plassey

(A.D. 1759). Struggles between the French and English — Condition of India — Siege of Trichinopoly — Surajah Dowlah — Alliance with the French — Conspiracy against Him — Clive's Advance — Engagement at Plassey — Total Defeat of Surajah Dowlah — Results of the Victory .... 314 LORD CLIVE: A BIOGRAPHY. Clive's Humble Parentage — Goes to India — His Fits of Melancholy — Joins the Army — Rapid Rise — Captures Arcot — Returns to England — Conduct and Character — Second Voyage to India — Victory of Plassey — Increase of British Power — Returns to England — Disputes with Mr Sulivan — Third Voyage to India — Efficiency of his Government — Returns Home — Impeached in the House of Commons— Acquittal — Death CONTENTS. XI CHAPTER VTH. THE HEIGHTS OF ABRAHAM (A.D. 1759). War Administration of Mr Pitt— French Successes in North America —Pitt's Plans— Wolfe selected for Command— Position of Quebec— Montcalm's Defences— Wolfe's Attack— Its Failure— His Despondency Letter to Pitt— A New Scheme— Battle with the French— A Glorious Victory — A Hero's Death— Results 357 GENERAL WOLFE : A BIOGRAPHT.

Born at Westerham — Enters the Army — Early Distinction— Serves against the French — Expedition against Rochfort— Incapacity of English Commanders — Wolfe's increasing Reputation — War in America — Wolfe attacks Louisbourg — His Success — Returns to England — Attracts Pitt's Attention — Appointed to Command in Canada — Siege of Quebec — Defeat ofMontcalm — Wolfe's Death— His Character .... 366

Chapter IX. The Battle Of Waterloo

(A.D. 1815). Introduction — Napoleon's Plans — Wellington's Forces — Battles of Quatre Bras and Ligny — Blucher — Strength of the Two Annies — De scription of the Field of Waterloo — Numerous Anecdotes — The Battle — Attack on Hougoumont — La Haye Sainte — Death of Picton— Major Macread/s Journal — Charge of French Cavalry — Gallantry of the British — Wellington and his Staff — Approach of the Prussians — Last Charge of the French — Its Repulse — The Victory — Napoleon's Escape — Wellington and Blucher — A Summary 373 THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON : A BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. Birth and Parentage — Rapid Promotion — Service in the Netherlands — Goes to India — Seringapatam — Victories of Assaye and Argaum — Returns to England — Embarks for Spain — Victories of Rolica and Vimiera — Returns to England — Appointed to Command the Army in the Peninsula — The Peninsula War — Battles of Talavera, Salamanca, Busaco, Fuentes d'Onore, Vittoria, the Pyrenees, Orthes, and Toulouse — Sieges of Cuidad Rodrigo, and San Sebastian — Waterloo — The Duke's Political Career — His Death and Character t XII CONTENTS.

Chapter X. The Crimean Expedition

Condition of Turkey — Designs of Russia — England and France Interfere — The Allies land in the Crimea — Battles of the Alma, Balaklava, the Tchernaya, and Inkermann — Charge of the Six Hundred — Fall of Sebastopol 449

Appendix

. Chronological Table of Victories of the British Army 459 Biographical Notices of Distinguished Generals : — John Richmond Webb 461 James Wolfe 461 Sir Eyre Coote 462 General Lord George Harris 462 Sir Ralph Abercromby 462 Sir John Moore 462 Marshal Beresford 463 Sir Charles James Napier . . . . . . 463 Henry, Viscount Hardinge 463 Hugh, Viscount Gough 463 Lord Clyde 464 Sir James Outram

Chapter I. The Battle Of Hastings

; AND HAROLD, THE LAST OF THE SAXON KINGS. I climb to yon heights, Where the Norman encamp'd him of old, With his bowmen and knights, And his banner all burnished with gold. Still the ramparted ground With a vision my fancy inspires ; And I hear the trump sound, As it marshall'd our chivalry's sires. Thomas Campbell. [A.D. 1066.] Between Hastings and Pevensey, on the coast of Sussex, extends au ample bay, capacious enough to receive within its shelter all the navies of the world. The horns of the crescent which it forms rise into lofty promontories of glittering cliffs, while farther to the west towers the well-known ocean steep of Beachy Head. In the bend, or hollow of the crescent, the shore is low, and the land ascends with a very gentle slope towards a range of hills, which, clothed with hanging woods and dotted with grey church-towers, runs from east to west in a low but undulating line.

The soil bordering more immediately on the coast is marshy and sterile ; A but farther inland, snug farmsteads are surrounded by fertile crofts and blooming gardens. Afar, against the western sky, swells a long billowy ridge of cloud-capped and wind-swept downs. To the south, the waters heave and roll in one vast and apparently unbounded expanse of sea. Eastward, an elevated ridge of sandstone terminates in the cliffs of Hastings. Such is the scene which now presents itself to the spectator, but widely different were its features eight hundred years ago. Then, as now, the downs uplifted their noble crests above the clouds, and the cliffs of Hastings were as lofty, and the promontory of Beachy Head as magnificent ; but the sea rolled in where now blooms the rank vegetation of the marsh, — rolled in as far, perhaps, as the upland crowned by the ruins of Pevensey Castle, — and the waters circled round many a little oasis or island ' of greenery,' now planted, and tilled, and levelled with the surrounding plains; while beyond waved the 'myriad arms' of an immense and almost impenetrable forest, — the Andredes-weald of the Saxon.

No villages clustered upon the hills ; no rich farms rested in the heart of fertile meadows. But armed scouts went to and fro along the shore, and from many a height blazed the ominous bale-fire, announcing to startled England that ' Count Wyllyam to Hastynges was y-come, And his banner had y-reared, and the contreye al y-nome !'" It was on the 20th of September 1066, that the scene we have attempted to describe was first gazed upon by the followers of William the Norman. A mighty fleet of 696 vessels,2 glittering with lance and banner, and echoing with song and shout, swept 1 Robert of Gloucester. 2 Guil. Gemetiensis says 3000 ; but Wace, who is a more certain guide, says, on the authority of his father, 696. The ' Chronique de Normandie' places the number at 907 ships. The same contradictions exist as to the strength of William's forces.

Sismondi (Histoire des Francois), calculating on the basis of the undoubtedly fictitious Battle Abbey roll, estimates the total number of knights and soldiers at about 20,000,— an absurdly email force for the invasion of England ! William of Poictiers, one of the most reliable authorities relative to the Norman Conquest, inasmuch as he was Count William's chaplain, declares that there were 60,000 men, of whom 50,000 were men-at-arms, or milites,— that is, knights and squires.' LANDING OF THE NORMAN ARMY. 3 into the bay of Pevensey, — extending in dense array from Peven sey even unto Hastings,— and speedily landed their armed men and armour (and such military stores as in those rude days were considered needful) upon English ground. Then the ships were scuttled, rowed into deep water, and left to sink, that the 60,000 soldiers whom they had disembarked might see that in the land before them must be found a home, or a grave !' And this was the order in which that mighty army landed.

First came the archers, — slight, sinewy men, with shaven heads and short habits. Then the horsemen, — the bold cavaliers of Boulogne and Ponthieu — Mantes, Poitou, and Bretagne, — and the matchless chivalry of Normandy : some clad in heavy armour — in coats of mail, with conical helmets of polished iron ; some carrying long and ponderous lances ; others straight and keen two-edged swords ; others massive battle-axes, fit for the grasp of giants. Next followed the pioneers, smiths, and carpenters of the army, who were at once employed to put together the framework of certain wooden castles provided by the foresight of Count William. Lastly, the grand array was closed by the Count himself, surrounded by his most favoured and powerful barons ; and the whole army encamped on the broad plateau between Hastings and Pevensey, — the sea in their rear, the wooded hills of Hastings on their right, and the forest of the Anderida on their left and in their front.

Here, then, Count William prepared for the conquest of England. To guard against surprise, he pushed forward his outposts in every direction ; and to ensure victory, as far as might be, exercised his men in military manœuvres, and encouraged them by promises of ample booty. Already had he shown him self a man well skilled in commanding men ; and marvellous was his dexterity in turning even accidents and ill omens into presages of good fortune. He had been the last to leave the ships, and while bringing his foot to the shore, had missed his step, and fallen forward upon his face. Immediately his soldiers sent up a cry of despair, — ' God help us ! God preserve us ! A fatal sign is this !' But their leader, prompt of wit, sprang to his feet, 1 Some authorities dispute this statement, and assert that William's ships were cooped up in Pevensey Bay by the Saxon fleet. exclaiming, ' Par la resplendar De','— his favourite oath,—' what ails ye ?

I have taken seisin of this land with my two hands, and as much as there is of it is yours !' Then the soldiers, en couraged by a reply so ready, shouted lustily, and praised Count William.1 A rare and wonderful faculty is this intuitive mastery over men's minds and hearts, which Providence bestows upon the hero by whom, for good or for evil, his age will specially be controlled ! It is the lever with which Genius moves the world. King Harold was at York, — recruiting his soldiers' strength after their victory over the Norwegian king, Harold Hardrada, — when the tidings reached him of Count William's invasion. Without an hour's delay he put his army in motion, and marched towards the south. As he swept onward, he bade the chiefs of the counties summon all their fighting men to arms, and lead them to London as to a general rendezvous.

This was his fatal error. Had he remained a few days at York, the new levies would soon have increased his forces to one hundred thousand men, and ensured him a superiority in the field against which Count William could hardly have contended. But, anxious to spare his subjects from the miseries inflicted by a ruthless soldiery; desirous, it may be, of surprising the foe by the suddenness of his attack, he moved towards Hastings with the utmost rapidity, though the army which he proposed to defeat was three times more numerous than his own. The Norman encampment was carefully guarded, and re connoitring parties of cavalry brought accurate intelligence of Harold's rapid approach. He marched on, they said, like a raging madman, until he found his design, of vanquishing the enemy by a coup-de-main, completely frustrated by William's foresight.

Then, halting at a distance of seven miles from the Norman army, he resolved to assume the defensive, and com menced entrenching the position he had chosen. His forces were massed upon the ridge of a considerable hill, and behind a deep ditch, which he fortified with a stout palisade of hurdles woven together, and filled up with earth and clay. The ruins of Battle Abbey now indicate the site of this camp. Dangerous morasses 1 Roman de Rou, vol. ii., 151, 152. WARRIORS, NOT PRIESTS. and impervious woods protected each flank ; so that his army was drawn up across the only pass, or road, which opened into the heart of England. His position was chosen, in fact, with a high degree of military skill ; and had it been held with the same ' enduring coolness' — to use Professor Airey's forcible expression — as the lines of Torres Vedras, the slopes of Waterloo, or the heights of Inkermann, the Normans must eventually have fallen back, dispirited, aud broken with famine.

In a few days Harold's reinforcements would have arrived ; he might have poured down upon the invaders an irresistible army; and on the heights of Hastings the glory of the Norman chivalry would have set in blood for ever. Happy for England that it was otherwise ! It needed the fusion of the two races — the union of Norman spirit with Saxon solidity — to produce that enterprising and wide spreading people, whose triumphs in art, literature, and science, in war, colonization, government, aud commerce, are the won der, ay, and the envy, of a world. Harold's spies, whom he had sent to learn the numbers and dispositions of the enemy's forces, were astounded at the spectacle presented to them. They told their king that they had seen more priests in the Norman army than there were fighting men in their own : for the Saxons, who wore their hair long and their beards unshorn, had mistaken the close-cropped and smooth shaven Normans for monks. 'Those whom you have seen in such numbers,' replied King Harold, ' are not priests, but war riors, who Will soon teach us of what stuff they are made.'1 Alarmed at these reports, several of his captains counselled him to avoid a battle, and to retreat upon London, devastating the country as he retired, that the invaders might perish of famine. • By my faith,' replied the noble Harold, ' I will not destroy the land whose charge has been entrusted to me; nay, it were treason !

I will rather dare the fortune of the battle with what few men I have, and trust to my own courage, and the justice of my cause.'2 A monk, Dom Hugues Maigrot, was now despatched by Count William to the Saxon monarch, to propose terms of ac- 2 Chronique de Normandie. 1 Roman de Rou, commodation. Harold should either resign his crown to William ; refer the dispute between them to the arbitration of the Pope (already pledged, be it remembered, to the encouragement of the Norman enterprise); or decide the point at issue by single com bat. Brief was Harold's answer : ' I will not surrender my crown ; I will not accept of the Pope's arbitration ; nor will I meet Duke William in single combat.' But the crafty Norman's intention was to prejudice and dishonour King Harold before his own people, — for he well knew that his insulting propositions would only excite the contempt of the gallant Saxon, — and so he again despatched his monkish herald, and bade him deliver his message in these terms : ' If Harold will observe the compact he made with me over the holy bones of the saints, I will leave to him all the country which lies beyond the Humber, and will give to Gurth, his brother, the lands which were his father's. If he refuse these conditions, then do thou tell him, before his people, that he is a perjurer and a liar ; that he, and all who aid him, are excommunicated by the mouth of the Pope ; and that the bull of excommunication is in my hands.' Dom Hugues Maigrot delivered his lord's bidding in solemn tones, and at the threat of excommunication many of the Saxon nobles were sorely dismayed.

But one among them, of bolder spirit than the rest, exclaimed, ' Whatever the perils that menace us, we must fight ! What we have to consider is not whether we shall receive a new prince, as if our king were dead, but this : the Count of Normandy has bestowed our lands upon his barons, knights, and squires, most of whom have already done homage to him, and will look for their gifts if their Count becomes king. In like manner will he be bound to deliver up to them our lands, and our wives, and our daughters, for he has already pro mised them. They come, then, not only to destroy us, but our descendants, and to deprive us of the country of our forefathers. And what are ive to do, whither to go, when we possess no longer a land of our own ? ' 1 Touched by this vigorous appeal, every Saxon swore that he would make no peace with the invaders, but was ready to drive them into the sea, or — to die. 1 Roman de Rou.

THE EVE OF BATTLE. 7 The Count now resolved upon giving battle. Eighteen days had elapsed since his ships had cast anchor in the bay of Peven sey, and both armies felt that the hour had approached when the ' dread arbitrament of the sword ' must decide the fortunes of Saxon England. How they passed ' the eve of battle ' — the night of the 13th of October — has been graphically told by the chroniclers. Harold and his brothers, in disguise, reconnoitred the Norman camp, it is said, on that memorable night, — ' Of brave chevaliers took they none, Nor squires a-foot,— they went alone ; And all unarm'd was each great lord, Save shield, and spear, and trusty sword ;' ' and the spectacle they beheld was very curious and wonderful. The long row of watchfires blazing before the line of array showed how vast a force was collected under Count William's standard.

A broad dyke ran in front of the camp, and behind, in regular streets or rows, extended the bough-woven huts of the common soldiers. In their rear stood the tents of the knights, and the pavilions of the barons and prelates. The centre was occupied by the splendid pavilion of the leader of this mighty host, before which was unrolled the gonfanon, or banner, blessed by the Pope himself. The steady beat of the sentinels ; the clang of the armourers' hammers; the neighing of innumerable horses; — all told of busy preparation for the morrow. Suddenly these noises ceased ; a silver bell tinkled upon the night ; from every hut, and tent, and pavilion came forth its inmates ; and down through the kneeling ranks paraded a long procession of priests, with censer and with aube, headed by Odo of Bayeux, and Geoffrey, Bishbp of Coutances, in their splendid pontificals.

Then arose the low murmur of confession, and hands were uplifted as in absolution and benediction. Solemn litanies broke in tender music upon the air, and voices round the watchfires joined in holy psalms. And the excited soldiery vowed that, if God granted to their swords the victory on the morrow, never again upon a Saturday, as long as they lived, would they eat flesh. 1 Roman de Rou. THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS. The Saxon camp presented a very different scene. Its hardy warriors, still leavened by much of the rude ferocity of the old Norse blood, sat around their fires, chanting loud runes and vigorous war-songs, and pledging one another in flagons of strong beer. 'All night,' says the Norman chronicler, 'they might be seen carousing and playing, dancing and 6inging : bublie, they cried, and waeshael, and laticome, and drinchael, and drinc-to-me.' To their staunch hearts the idea of defeat and disaster on the morrow was never present : they had always conquered under Harold's banner ; they were yet flushed with their triumph over Harold Hardrada's Norwegians ; and they doubted not but victory would again be theirs.