Three weeks after their arrival at Rouen the Bretons broke out in
insurrection, and the duke invited Harold to accompany him on an
expedition to subdue them, courteously saying that he should obtain
great advantage from the military experience of his guest.
Harold accepted the invitation, and with his thanes set out with
the duke. Against the disciplined forces of Normandy the Breton
peasants had no chance whatever in the open field, but their wild
and broken country, well-nigh covered with forest, afforded them
an opportunity for the display of their own method of fighting by
sudden surprises and attacks, and they defended their rough but
formidable intrenchments with desperate valour. Harold's experience
gained in his warfare with the Welsh was of much utility, and the
duke committed to his hands the formal command of the troops engaged,
averring that he himself knew comparatively little of warfare such
as this.
Harold conducted the operations with equal vigour and prudence.
Stronghold after stronghold was attacked and captured, a small
portion of the force only being engaged in active operations, whilst
the rest were posted so as to repel the attempts of the Bretons to
aid the besieged. By his advice clemency was always shown to
the garrisons when the fortresses were stormed, and they were
permitted to return unharmed to their people, bearing the news that
the duke bore no ill-will towards them, and was ready to show mercy
to all who laid down their arms.
Pages:
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145