THE BATTLE OF STANFORD BRIDGE. 
373 
and other fearful phenomena mar the beautiful vision. 
Harald himself dreams that he is back again at Nidaros, 
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 shorebut 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 Bavager,” undismayed by the inequality of his 
force, and their comparatively unarmed condition. The 
men on each side are drawn up in battle array, and 
