"There is a good deal more pomp and show here than there was when
we rode with Harold from London," Wulf said. "In truth these Norman
nobles make a far braver appearance in their armour and robes, and
with their banners carried behind them, than we do. Were the king
himself to ride in state through London he would scarce be so gaily
attended."
"Duke William does not look as if he cared for show," Beorn said.
"Nor does he," Guy, who was riding beside them, put in. "For himself
he is simple in his tastes, but he knows that the people are impressed
by pomp, and love to see a brave cavalcade, therefore he insists
on the observance of outward forms; and his court here on state
occasions vies, as they tell me, with that of Henry of France."
"Where shall we rest tonight?" Wulf asked. "Methinks from the
appearance of the sky that we shall have rain, and unless we sleep
under shelter, many of these fine robes that we see are like to be
as much dabbled in mud as were those in which we arrived."
"We shall sleep in no town, for there is no place on the road between
this and Eu that could receive so large a party; but soon after we
rode out yesterday a train of waggons with tents and all else needful
started from Rouen, and half-way to Eu we shall find the camp erected
and everything in readiness for our reception."
This was indeed the case. The camp had been erected in a sheltered
valley, through which ran a stream that supplied the needs of man
and horses.
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