Part 33 (1/2)

[245] See Snorro Sturleson for this parley between Harold in person and Tostig. The account differs from the Saxon chroniclers, but in this particular instance is likely to be as accurate.

[246] Snorro Sturleson.

[247] Snorro Sturleson.

[248] Sharon Turner's Anglo-Saxons, vol. ii. p. 396. Snorro Sturleson.

[249] Snorro Sturleson.

[250] The quick succession of events allowed the Saxon army no time to bury the slain; and the bones of the invaders whitened the field of battle for many years afterwards.

[251] It may be said indeed, that, in the following reign, the Danes under Osbiorn (brother of King Sweyn), sailed up the Humber; but it was to a.s.sist the English, not to invade them. They were bought off by the Normans,--not conquered.

[252] The Saxons sat at meals with their heads covered.

[253] Henry.

[254] Palgrave--”Hist. of Anglo-Saxons.”

[255] Palgrave--”Hist. of Anglo-Saxons.”

[256] The battle-field of Hastings seems to have been called Senlac, before the Conquest, Sanguelac after it.

[257] Traitor-messenger.

[258] ”Ne meinent od els chevalier, Varlet a pie De eskuier; Ne nul d'els n'a armes portee, Forz sol escu, lance, et espee.” Roman de Rou, Second Part, v. 12, 126.

[259] ”Ke d'une angarde [eminence] u ils 'estuient Cels de l'ost virent, ki pres furent.” Roman de Rou, Second Part, v. 12, 126.

[260] Midnight.

[261] This counsel the Norman chronicler ascribes to Gurth, but it is so at variance with the character of that hero, that it is here a.s.signed to the unscrupulous intellect of Haco.

[262] Osborne--(Asbiorn),--one of the most common of Danish and Norwegian names. Tonstain, Toustain, or Tostain, the same as Tosti, or Tostig,--Danish. (Harold's brother is called Tostain or Toustain, in the Norman chronicles). Brand, a name common to Dane or Norwegian --Bulmer is a Norwegian name, and so is Bulver or Bolvaer--which is, indeed, so purely Scandinavian that it is one of the warlike names given to Odin himself by the Norse-scalds. Bulverhithe still commemorates the landing of a Norwegian son of the war-G.o.d. Bruce, the ancestor of the deathless Scot, also bears in that name, more ill.u.s.trious than all, the proof of his Scandinavian birth.

[263] This mail appears in that age to have been sewn upon linen or cloth. In the later age of the crusaders, it was more artful, and the links supported each other, without being attached to any other material.

[264] Bayeux tapestry.

[265] The cross-bow is not to be seen in the Bayeux tapestry--the Norman bows are not long.

[266] Roman de Rou.

[267] William of Poitiers.

[268] Dieu nous aide.

[269] Thus, when at the battle of Barnet, Earl Warwick, the king- maker, slew his horse and fought on foot, he followed the old traditional customs of Saxon chiefs.

[270] ”Devant li Dus alout cantant De Karlemaine e de Rollant, Ed 'Olever e des Va.s.salls Ki morurent en Ronchevals.” Roman de Rou, Part ii. I. 13, 151.

Much research has been made by French antiquaries, to discover the old Chant de Roland, but in vain.

[271] W. PICT. Chron. de Nor.

[272] For, as Sir F. Palgrave shrewdly conjectures, upon the dismemberment of the vast earldom of Wess.e.x, on Harold's accession to the throne, that portion of it comprising Suss.e.x (the old government of his grandfather Wolnoth) seems to have been a.s.signed to Gurth.

[273] Harold's birthday was certainly the 14th of October. According to Mr. Roscoe, in his ”Life of William the Conqueror,” William was born also on the 14th of October.

[274] William Pict.