The Normans Win The Battle Of
Hastings
William had won
the Battle of Hastings - he was the Conqueror!
"Then he returned
thanks to God, and in his pride ordered his standard to be
brought and set up on high, where the English standard had
stood; and that was the signal of his having conquered, and
beaten down the standard.
And he ordered his
tent to be raised on the spot among the dead, and had his meat
brought thither, and his supper prepared there. Then he took
off his armor; and the barons and knights, pages and squires
came, when he had unstrung his shield; and they took the
helmet from his head and the hauberk from his back, and saw
the heavy blows upon his shield and how his helmet was dinted
in. And all greatly wondered and said: 'Such a baron never
bestrode war-horse nor dealt such blows nor did such feats of
arms. Neither has there been on earth such a knight since
Rollant and Oliver.'
Thus they lauded and extolled him greatly and rejoiced in what
they saw, but grieving also for their friends who were slain
in the battle.
And the Duke stood
meanwhile among them, of noble stature and mien, and rendered
thanks to the King of Glory, through whom he had the victory,
and thanked the knights around him, mourning also frequently
for the dead. And he ate and drank among the dead, and made
his bed that night upon the field.
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