All were received with kindness and courtesy, and
Harold felt that at Stamford Bridge he had conquered not only the host of
Norway but the Northern earldoms. On the evening of the fifth day after
the battle they held a great banquet at York. The feasting was at its
height when Harold was told that a messenger had arrived with urgent news,
and the man was at once brought in. He had ridden in two days from the
South, and brought the momentous news that on the third day after the
victory of Stamford Bridge the Norman host had landed in Sussex.
CHAPTER XX.
THE LANDING OF THE FOE.
While Harold with his army had been anxiously and impatiently watching the
sea on the southern coast of England, the mixed host of the Duke of
Normandy had been no less anxiously awaiting a favourable breeze at the
port where the whole of the expedition was gathered. William had, however,
one great advantage. While Harold's army and navy were composed of levies,
bound by feudal obligations to remain but a certain time under arms, and
eager to return to their harvest operations, their wives and families,
William's was made up to a great extent of seasoned troops and professional
soldiers, gathered not only from his own dominions but from all parts of
Europe.
These were far more amenable to orders than were the English militia.
Tempted by the thought of the plunder of England, they had enlisted under
the duke's banner for the expedition.
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