The panic spread rapidly,
the host wavered, and had already begun to fly, when William, throwing off
his helmet, rode among them, and exhorting some and striking others with a
lance he had caught up, at last restored order, and the Breton infantry
rallied and fell upon their pursuers, killing many and driving the rest
back up the hill.
Again the Norman infantry and cavalry together advanced up the hill, and
the terrible struggle recommenced. William and his brother the bishop
performed prodigies of valour, but not less valiantly fought Harold of
England and his brothers. The palisade was by this time destroyed in many
places, and desperate hand-to-hand contests now took place. Cutting his way
through meaner foes the duke strove to reach the royal standard and
encounter Harold himself. He was nearing his goal, when Gurth sprang
forward, eager above all things to protect Harold from harm. He hurled a
javelin at William, but the dart struck the Norman's horse only, and it
fell beneath him. William leapt to his feet, and springing upon Gurth smote
with his heavy mace full on his helmet, and the noble Earl of East Anglia
fell dead at his feet. Almost at the same moment his brother Leofwin,
fighting sword in hand, was slain. But the fall of the two royal brothers
in no way changed the fate of the battle. The men of Kent and Essex,
furious at the fall of their beloved earls, fought even more fiercely than
before to avenge their deaths.
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