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.