hen of no
great consequence or power, but whose name, which was Hastings, has
since been immortalized by the battle which was fought in its vicinity a
few days after William's arrival. The position which William selected
for his encampment was on high land in the vicinity of the town. The
lines of the encampment were marked out, and the forts or castles which
had been brought from Normandy were set up within the inclosures. Vast
multitudes of laborers were soon at work, throwing up embankments, and
building redoubts and bastions, while others were transporting the arms,
the provisions, and the munitions of war, and storing them in security
within the lines. The encampment was soon completed, and the long line
of tents were set up in streets and squares within it. By the time,
however, that the work was done, some of William's agents and spies came
into camp from the north, saying that in four days Harold would be upon
him at the head of a hundred thousand men.

CHAPTER X.

THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS.

A.D. 1066

Tostig.--He is driven from England.--Expedition of Tostig.--He sails
to Norway.--Tostig's alliance with the Norwegians.--The Norwegian
fleet.--Superstitions.--Dreams of the soldiers.--The combined
fleets.--Attack on Scarborough.--The rolling fire.--Burning of
Scarborough.--Tostig marches to York.--Surrender of the city.--Arrival
of King Harold.--Movements of Tostig.--Surprise of Tostig and his
allies.--Preparations for battle.--Negotiations between Tostig and his
brother.--The battle.--Death of Tostig.--The Norwegians retire.--Harold
attempts to surprise William.--His failure.--Advice of Harold's
counselors.--He rejects it.--Harold's encampment.--The country
alarmed.--Harold's brothers.--He proposes to visit William's
camp.--Harold's arrival at William's lines.--He reconnoiters the
camp.--Harold's despondency.--His spies.--Their report.--William's
embassadors.--Their propositions.--William's propositions
unreasonable.--Harold declines them.--Further proposals of
William.--Counter proposal of Harold.--Harold's forebodings.--Proposals
of his brothers.--Night before the battle.--Scenes in Harold's
camp.--Scenes in William's camp.--Religious ceremonies.--A martial
bishop.--William's war-horse.--Preliminary arrangements.--Battle of
Hastings.--Defeat of Harold.--He is slain.--Final subjugation of the
island.--William crowned at Westminster.--William's power.--His
greatness.

The reader will doubtless recol