Battle
by ASH Smyth
October 2023
On the 957th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings, ASH Smyth translates the Bayeux Tapestry.
When Edward was king, Harold,
an English earl, and his horsemen rode to
Bosham, to the church there.
Harold then crossed the sea,
his sails full of wind, and came into the domain of Count Guy.
Guy took Harold prisoner, and
leading him away to Beaurain,
held him captive there.
Harold and Guy spoke much together.
Messengers from Duke William came to
Guy, and, in turn,
a messenger was sent back to Duke William.
Guy surrendered Harold to
William, Duke of the Normans.
Duke William and Harold
returned to William’s palace.
Duke William
and his army drew near to Mont Saint-Michel,
and there crossed over the Couesnon –
Earl Harold pulling many of them from the quicksands –
to Dol.
Conan turned and fled, at Rennes.
Duke William’s soldiers fought
against the men of Dinan, and
Conan gave up the keys to the city. William gave Harold arms.
William then returned to Bayeux,
where Harold swore an oath to him.
Earl Harold
then returned
to England, and came
to King Edward. From his bed,
King Edward addressed his subjects, and then he died.
His body was taken to the church of St Peter
the Apostle. They gave
his crown to Harold, in the presence of Archbishop Stigant,
and so he was enthroned, King of the English.
The people wondered at a passing comet.
A ship from England
took the news to Duke William’s country. William
gave instruction ships be built,
and they dragged them down to the sea
and, taking carts, carried arms and wine to them.
Duke William, in the biggest boat,
crossed the sea
and landed at Pevensey.
The horses disembarked
from the ships and the soldiers hastened away
to Hastings, to burn houses and to pillage food.
Animals were roasted, and served up by the servants.
Bishop Odo blessed the food and drink,
and they made their feast. The order was given
for the digging of a stronghold in the camp at Hastings.
News of Harold came to William,
and his knights rode out from Hastings
to the place where they would
fight against the king.
Duke William questioned one
Vital, if he had himself set eyes on Harold’s army.
Another man gave word of William’s
forces to King Harold. Duke William
exhorted his men to ready
themselves both wisely and
courageously for the fight against
the English army.
The battle was joined, and
here were struck down
Leofwine and Gyrth, the brothers of King
Harold. Bishop Odo
bearing his staff, fortified the young soldiers –
and as many died, both French and English,
in the fighting.
But the French fought hard,
Duke William in the midst of them,
and those who were with Harold
began to fall.
Then Harold was killed,
and the English turned, and fled.
