H. C. Bailey

“ So lightly the hold of Hastings was won, and the Norman had two strong places at his back, two safe havens for his ships. With all his force William marched eastward, and made his camp beneath the cliff, and sent his horsemen far and wide for the glad work of harrying. So he fed his men, so he paid them, and withal compelled Harold Godwin's son to swift battle lest all the land should be made desert. Far and wide the homesteads flared, and the churchyards were alive with miserable fugitives, and droves of cattle and sheep and boys and girls were whipped into the Norman camp. ”

“ William strode to him. “Mark me, sirrah. This lord hath served me well. See thou serve him so, lest thou serve no man more.”
“I am thy man,” growled Roger, and turned to Eadmund. “Please thee to mount?”
So they rode through the woods, a glittering company, Roger and Eadmund side by side. None saw them save the squirrels and the birds, and even when they came out upon the ploughlands where Alnod's hall rose above the huts of the cheorls there was no sign of man or woman. ”

“ William roared and the ruddy face blenched. Stumbling, swaying, Ealgyfu came out in Roger's grip. The black brow lowered upon her. “Woman, how died thy lord?”
Her white lips quivered and no words came. Her eyes were mad with terror. Eadmund spoke smoothly. “Sure, my lord, this is ill reason. The man fought against thee till he was wounded sore and crept hither to die. No man slew him but thy men.” A monk came out from the horsemen and passed into the hall. “I protest, my lord, I have done thee right good service,” Eadmund cried, “and this is ill reward.” ”

“ The oaks gave place to a dainty birch-wood and that to a heathery dean, and they came to a ring of huts and the white cross form of the church. Already folk had crowded devoutly into the holy ground, but there was room for them and all their gear, and the church was voided of all that Ealgyfu might go to prayer for her lord.
Presently Eadmund came and all ran at him to ask tidings. “The worst,” quoth he. “We be all undone. Who cares for life, let him stand fast in sanctuary.” But his eyes were restless, seeking Ealgyfu among them. ”

“ In the rearward beneath the purple folds of the holy banner of the Pope the giant bastard rode, and by his side, mail clad as he, and armed like him with ponderous mace of steel, was Odo the bishop. Down the valley where the road runs now they came, and saw above them a close wall of shields. All the crest of the hill, all the open ground from forest to forest, was held by mail-clad axemen, Harold's thegns and housecarles, whereof, the vikings sang, each man was two men's match. ”

“ Through the wood to the church town went a long line of laden beasts, and the thralls sped them on. There was chattering and shrill bruit of fears, but the lady Ealgyfu rode her palfrey apart, heedless and calm. Her maiden, Eadburga, drew alongside Craddock's restive ass.
“Craddock,” quoth she, tremulous, “is it true that the Normans eat maids?”
“Never, save pickled,” quoth Craddock. “Take heart. Thou hast not salt enough.”
“Tell true!” Eadburga gasped. “Oh, sure, King Harold will not suffer it. And they say one Englishman is a match for two Normans.” ”

“ Then he beckoned Craddock close. “True man art thou. I keep troth for troth with all men. Art thou free?” And Craddock, when it was Englished, shook his head listlessly. “Free from this hour with five hides of fat land.” He glanced at the chaplain. “See thou to that. For the rest—Roger, can thy men ride?”
“God accept them if they cannot,” quoth Roger.
“An hour before vespers. Go.”
So before sunset the lances came through the forest to Alnod's hall, and Eadmund ran out to see the bastard at his gate. “Surely my lord does me too great honour.” He smiled. ”

“ The Norman ravaging parties dared not go far afield lest all the English host should fall upon them, and the land near was eaten up. The Normans must fight or starve, and fight where Harold had chosen. William learnt of Eadmund what like the place was, and sat so grim that no man dared speak with him. ”

“ He saw a sneer turn the beautiful lips.
“Par le resplendor Dé, no man of mine hurts other without hurt, ay, though he be my mother's son. In my land law is king.”
The monk came out again. “This dead man hath such a wound that he could not have walked one pace with it.” ”