They had no thought of returning
home, and as long as they were well supplied with food, the delay in
starting mattered comparatively little to them; and thus while at length
the fleet and army of Harold scattered to their homes the Normans remained
in their camp, ready to embark on board the ships as soon as a favourable
wind blew. They were kept in good temper by receiving regular pay and
provisions, and as all plundering was strictly forbidden the country people
freely brought in supplies, and for a month the great army was fed without
difficulty; but as the resources of the country became exhausted the duke
grew more and more anxious to move to another port, and taking advantage of
a change of wind to the west he embarked his army and sailed north along
the coast of Normandy to the mouth of the Somme, and the troops disembarked
and encamped round the town of St. Valery.
Here there was another long delay, and while Harold was marching north to
meet the King of Norway the Normans were praying for a favourable wind at
the holy shrine at the Abbey of St. Valery. Two days after the host of
Harold Hardrada had been destroyed the wind suddenly shifted to the south.
There had on the previous day been a great religious ceremony; the holy
relics had been brought by the priests into the camp; the whole army had
joined in a solemn service; precious gifts had been offered at the shrine,
and as the change of wind was naturally ascribed to the influence of the
saint, the army was filled with enthusiasm, and believed that heaven had
declared in their favour.
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