CHAPTER XXXVIII

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ENGLAND INVADED BY THE NORMANS.

Preparations in Normandy for the invasion of England--Description of duke William's soldiers--He obtains the sanction of the pope to seize the crown of England, and receives a consecrated banner from Rome--Meeting of the barons and citizens of Normandy-- Policy of William Fitz-Osbern--Measures adopted by the Norman duke--His promises to all who embarked in the expedition-- Vows of the Norman knights--Protest of Conan, king of Brittany --Death of Conan--The Norman fleet arrives at Dive--Conduct of duke William while wind-bound in the roadsteads of St. Valery --Consternation amongst his troops--Method pursued by the Norman duke to appease the murmurs of his soldiers--The Norman fleet crosses the Channel, and arrives at Pevensey-bay--Fall of the astrologer--Landing of the Norman soldiers--William's stumbling considered an ill omen--He marches towards Hastings --Alarm of the inhabitants along the coast--Tidings carried to Harold of the landing of the Normans p. 325

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