Page:Sussex Archaeological Collections, volume 6.djvu/42

 miles, the Normans had not worn their armour, and it was only when they came within view of the Saxon camp that they proceeded to arm. The testimony of the 'Chronicle of Battel Abbey' is tolerably conclusive on this point. It was at Hetheland, which I take to be identical with Telham, that this preliminary was gone through. Several historians relate an anecdote connected with it, which is worthy of quotation:—

""Having arrived at a hill called Hethelande, situated in the direction of Hastings, while they were helping one another on with their armour, there was brought forth a coat of mail for the duke to put on, and by accident it was handed to him the wrong side foremost (inversa ipsi oblala est). Those who stood by and saw this cursed it as an unfortunate omen, but the duke's sewer (Fitz-Osborne) bade them be of good cheer, and declared that it was a token of good fortune; namely, that those things which had hitherto kept their ground were about fully to submit themselves to him. The duke, perfectly unmoved, put on the mail with a placid countenance, and uttered these memorable words: 'I know, my dearest friends, that if I had any confidence in omens, I ought on no account to go to battle to-day; but, committing myself trustfully to my Creator in every matter, I have given no heed to omens, neither have I ever loved sorcerers.' ""

This sensible speech was followed by the duke's celebrated vow, that if God would grant him the victory over his foe, he would found a monastery upon the field of battle as an asylum for his saints, and as a succour for the souls of those who should be there slain. William Faber, a brother of the abbey of Marmoutier, near Tours, who had joined the army for the advancement of himself and his convent, hearing the vow, obtained the duke's consent to have the establishment dedicated to his patron, St. Martin, who had the valuable recommendation of being known as the "military saint," and the tutelary of Norman soldiers.

William's arming was not completed until he had suspended from his neck a portion of the holy relics upon which Harold had so solemnly sworn that he would never oppose him in his designs upon the throne of England. The bulk of these objects of his superstitious regard was also present upon the