Battle of Hastings AD1066 - Phase 2 - Before the Channel crossing.
Preparations leading up to the crossing of the English Channel by the Normans.
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Anglo Saxon Chronicles
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No reference to this subject in this document.
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Battle Abbey Chronicles
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In the mean time his kinsman, King Edward, died, and left the kingdom of England to Duke William, whom he con-stituted
his legal heir. But this was seized upon by a certain perjured slave called Harold, and the duke having received
information of it, relying upon the advice and assistance of his friends, devoted all his energies, either by force or stratagem,
to recover his rights.
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Bayeux_Tapestry
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William decides to invade.
Hic Willelm dux ivssit naves edificare
(Duke William ordered the ships to be made)
Trees are chopped down, ships are made and dragged into the sea.
Hic trahunt naves ad mare
(Here they are pulling the ships into the sea)
Weapons armour, food and drink are taken to the ships.
Isti portant armas ad naves et hic trahunt carrum cum vino et armis
(They carry arms to the ships and are pulling a wagon with wine)
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Carmen de Triumpho Normannico
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But for a long time your leading fleet across the Channel is barred by storms and constant rain
From antiquity the port of Vimeu has been renown
Above is the fortress of St Valery
For fifteen days you occupied these regions
It remains wet
And the sky is covered with cloud and rain
And the sun shone forth brighter than usual
When Michaelmas was celebrated around the world
While sailors take up their oars and knights their arms
Surely ten times ten times ten and 5 thousand more men
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Florence of Worcester
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No reference to this subject in this document.
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Henry of Huntingdon
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No reference to this subject in this document.
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Master Wace
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I shall never put in writing, and would not undertake to set down, what barons, and how many
knights, how many vavassors, and how many soldiers the duke had in his company, when he had
collected all his navy ; but I heard my father say I remember it well, although I was but a lad that
there were seven hundred ships, less four, when they sailed from St. Valeri ; and that there were besides
these ships, boats and skiffs for the purpose of carrying the arms and harness. I have found it written
(but I know not whether it be true) that there were in all three thousand vessels bearing sails and
masts. Any one will know that there must have been a great many men to have furnished out so
many vessels.
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William of Jumièges/Orderic Vitalis(Gesta)
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While it lay there innumerable vows and prayers were offered for the safety of themselves and their friends, and
floods of tears were shed. For the intimate friends and relations of those who were to remain at home, witnessing
the embarkation of fifty thousand knights and men-at-arms, with a large body of infantry, who had to brave the
dangers of the sea, and to attack an unknown people on their own soil, were moved to tears and sighs, and full of
anxiety both for themselves and their countrymen, their minds fluctuating between fear and hope. Duke William and
the whole army committed themselves to God's protection, with prayers, and offerings, and vows, and accompanied
a procession from the church, carrying the relics of St. Valeri, confessor of Christ, to obtain a favourable wind.
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William of Malmesbury
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No reference to this subject in this document.
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Quedam Exceptiones de Historia Normannorum et Anglorum
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No reference to this subject in this document.
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Phases of the Battle of Hastings 1066AD
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No reference to this subject in this document.
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