"
Wulf reached Steyning soon after daybreak, and as soon as the news that he
had arrived went round, the tenants flocked in. His coming had been
anxiously expected, for the alarm caused by the incursions all over the
country by the Norman horse was intense; and although, so far, none had
come west of Beachy Head, there was a general feeling that at any moment
they might make their appearance. The news, therefore, that Harold was
marching south with his army, and that all were to share in a pitched
battle with the invader instead of being slaughtered on their hearthstones,
caused a deep feeling of satisfaction. Wulf gave orders that every man
should assemble in fighting array at noon, and that if, later on, news came
that the enemy were approaching, the houses were to be deserted, the stacks
fired, and, driving the cattle before them, the women and children should
cross the hills and take shelter in the great forest beyond. A few of the
older men who were unfit to take part in a long day's fighting were to aid
the women in their work.
The arms of all the men were carefully inspected, and the weapons remaining
in the armoury served out to those worst provided. At one o'clock the force
marched off, Wulf riding at the head of the hundred housecarls, while the
tenants, a hundred and fifty strong, followed in good order. Each man
carried six days' provisions. They camped that night in a forest twenty
miles from Steyning, marched thirty miles the next day, and early the
following morning joined the great array that was gathering on the hills
south of London.
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