XII.] THE BATTLE OF STANFORD BRIDGE. 233 



and that his brother Olaf meets him with a prophecy of ruin 

 and death. The bold Norsemen are not to be daunted by 

 these auguries, and their first successes on the English coast 

 seem to justify their persistence. But on a certain beautiful 

 Monday in September (a.d. 1066, according to the Saxon 

 Chronicle), part of his army being encamped at Stanford 

 Bridge, " Hardrada, having taken breakfast, ordered the 

 trumpets to sound for going on shore ; " but he left half his 

 force behind, to guard the ships : and his men, anticipating 

 no resistance from the castle, which had already surrendered, 

 " went on shore (the weather being hot), with only their 

 helmets, shields, and spears, and girt with swords \ some 

 had bows and arrows, — and all were very merry." On 

 nearing the castle, they see " a cloud of dust as from horses'" 

 feet, and under it shining shields and bright armour." 

 English Harold's army is before them. Hardrada sends back 

 to his ship for succour, and sets up his banner, " Land 

 Ravager," undismayed by the inequality of his force, and 

 their comparatively unarmed condition. The men on each 

 side are drawn up in battle array, and the two kings in 

 presence ; each gazes eagerly to discover his noble foe 

 among the multitude. Harald Hardrada's black horse 

 stumbles and falls; "the King got up in haste, and said, 

 ' A fall is lucky for a traveller.' " 



The English King said to the Northmen who were with 

 him, " Do you know the stout man who fell from his horse, 

 with the blue kirtle, and beautiful helmet ? " 



" That is the Norwegian King," said they. 



English Harold replied, "A great man, and of stately 

 appearance is he ; but I think his luck has left him." 



And now twenty gallant English knights ride out of their 

 ranks to parley with the Northmen. One advances beyond 

 the rest and asks if Earl Toste, the brother of English 

 Harold (who has banded with his enemy against him), is 

 with the army. 



The Earl himself proudly answers, "It is not to be denied 

 that you will find him here." 



