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 22 4 Readings in European History have tranquillity enough, that all the free-born youth now in England, who are rich enough to be able to devote them- selves to it, be set to learn as long as they are not fit for any other occupation, until that they are well able to read English writing ; and let those afterwards be taught more in the Latin language who are to continue learning, and be promoted to a higher rank. When I remembered how the knowledge of Latin had decayed throughout England, and yet that many could read English writing, I began, among other various and mani- fold troubles of this kingdom, to translate into English the book which is called in Latin Pastoralis, and in English Shepherd's Book, sometimes word by word, and sometimes according to the sense, as I had learned it from Plegmund, my archbishop, and Asser, my bishop, and Grimbold, my mass-priest, and John, my mass-priest. And when I had learned it, as I could best understand it and most clearly interpret it, I translated it into English. I will send a copy of this to every bishopric in my kingdom ; and on each copy there shall be a clasp worth fifty mancuses. And I command, in God's name, that no man take the clasp from the book, or the book from the minster. It is uncer- tain how long there may be such learned bishops, as thanks be to God there now are nearly everywhere ; therefore I wish these copies always to remain in their places, unless the bishop wish to take them with him, or they be lent out anywhere, or any one wish to make a copy of them. 97. Harold and William prepare for battle. (From Wil- liam of Malmes- bury's History of the English Kings.) II. THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS : ENGLISH AND NORMANS The courageous leaders mutually prepared for battle, each according to his national custom. The English, as we have heard, passed the night without sleep, in drinking and singing, and in the morning proceeded without delay against the enemy.' All on foot, armed with battle-axes, and cover- ing themselves in front by the juncture of their shields, they formed an impenetrable body which would assuredly have