William was already too powerful a vassal, and his overtures were rejected from policy. Nothing daunted, he next addressed himself to his father-in-law, the Count of Flanders, for assistance. Baldwin listened to him, and helped him to the utmost of his power.
In the midst of these warlike preparations, the Duke of Normandy received a message from Conan II., Duke of Brittany, demanding that he should resign his states to him, as the legitimate heir of Rollo. Conan died shortly afterwards by poison; and his successor, with far more prudence, not only abandoned the claim, but sent his two sons with troops and offers of service to William.
Whether guilty or not, William was accused of the murder of Conan. Guillaume de Jumiège asserts that one of his chamberlains, bribed by the Duke of Normandy, rubbed a subtle poison on the hunting-horn of the unfortunate prince, on the reins of his horse, and on his gloves; and that Conan, after having worn the latter, raised his hands to his lips, and died shortly afterwards.
In the middle of August, 1006, the Duke of Normandy had collected and built upwards of 900 large vessels, without counting those destined to serve as means of transport, and counted under his command 50,000 horsemen and 10,000 foot soldiers, of various nations. He named, as general rendezvous, the mouth of the Dive, where his fleet had for some time been detained by unfavourable weather.
The unfortunate Harold saw himself menaced by the danger of a double invasion—one from William, and the other from the King of Norway. A third enemy threatened his repose, in the person of his own brother, Tostig, who, impatient to avenge his real or pretended injuries, could not wait the arrival of the Norwegian fleet; but gathering an army and sixty vessels in the ports of Flanders, set sail, and attempted to effect a landing in the south of England. Driven back by Saxon ships, he directed his forces to the Humber, where he was defeated by Earl Edwin, who obliged him to retreat.
Tostig took refuge in Scotland, after escaping with only twelve of his vessels, there to await the arrival of his ally, the King of Norway, who made his appearance off the English coast early in August, 1066, with a fleet of 300 sail, and a formidable army.
Tostig joined him with the wreck of his armament; and they sailed up the Humber, took Scarborough, and then directed their march upon York, the capital of the province of Northumbria.
Morcar and his brother Edwin hastened to the defence; but, being defeated, were obliged to shut themselves within the walls of the city, which the Norwegians immediately besieged. Negotiations were opened, and a day named for delivering York to the enemy.
Harold, who was engaged in watching the movements of William in the western part of the kingdom, no sooner heard of the arrival of his brother and the Norwegians, than he marched rapidly towards the north with all his forces.
The King of Norway, who had divided his army, leaving a portion of it under the command of his son Olave, was advancing with the other to take possession of York, when he suddenly perceived, near Stanford bridge, the approach of the Saxons, who, by a long and forced march, were hastening to relieve the city.
The Norwegians were taken by surprise by their adversaries. Hardrada, their king, sent to his son for succour, and proceeded to range his soldiers in line of battle; then, riding along the ranks, mounted upon his black charger, he animated his men, by singing their national war-songs.
Anxious as Harold must have felt from being threatened by two enemies, he showed no unmanly fear. It is true he made offers to his brother, in an interview which took place between them, of restoring him to all his honours and possessions, if he would lay down his arms, which Tostig at first seemed disposed to do.
"And what will you give my ally, the King of Norway?" demanded the traitor.
"Six feet of earth," was the courageous reply of Harold.
"Or, stay," he added, with a bitter smile: "as Hardrada is a giant, he shall have seven."
This answer broke off all further negotiation, and the signal for battle was given.
The Norwegians received, without giving way, the first shock of the Saxon cavalry; but the second shook their ranks. At this critical juncture, Hardrada, their king, fell from his horse, his neck pierced by an arrow; which his army perceiving, they were about to give way, when his son Olave arrived with fresh troops. Once more the battle raged furiously; but nothing could resist the determined valour of the Saxons, who, led by their king, charged them with terrible impetuosity. Tostig and the principal leaders were slain, and the victory remained with Harold.
The conqueror showed himself no less humane than brave. Instead of putting the young Norwegian, Prince Olave, who had fallen into his power, to death, he gave him his liberty, and suffered him to depart, with twelve vessels, for his native country, where he afterwards reigned in conjunction with his brother Magnus.
William of Malmesbury relates that Harold offended a portion of his army by refusing them their share of the plunder, and that many, in consequence, abandoned his standard. If so, the error was bitterly expiated.
CHAPTER XXVI.
Landing of the Normans—The Battle of Hastings—Death of Harold—Accession of William.
Immediately after his victory, Harold directed his march to York, which city he entered in triumph, being hailed by the inhabitants as their deliverer from an enemy whom they had so many causes both to fear and hate. Here the king intended to remain for some time, not only to recruit his army, but to give himself an opportunity of getting cured of a wound he had received in the late battle.
The joy of victory was destined, however, to receive a speedy check, for whilst Harold was at a banquet with his thanes and captains, a messenger arrived with the intelligence that the Normans had landed at Pevensey, on September 1Oth. The king, nothing daunted, gave orders for his march at an early hour the following day.
The Norman fleet had been assembled, as we have already related, in the summer at the mouth of the river Dive, and all the troops embarked; but the winds proved long contrary, and detained them in that harbour. The authority, however, of the duke, the good discipline maintained among the seamen and soldiers, and the great care in supplying them with provisions, had prevented any
